COVID-19
National Restaurant Association – CEO Tom Bené sent a letter this week to the National Governors Association and the United States Conference of Mayors, urging fact-based decision making related to current and future restaurant restrictions. Bené expressed concern that restaurants have become a “convenient scapegoat for reflexive shutdowns.” Specifically, he outlined that:
- Regulations and decisions regarding restaurant operations should be based on facts and contact-tracing data, not hypothetical simulations of transmission.
- When restrictive regulations are imposed, such as capacity restrictions or shutdowns, it should be clear what health metrics must be achieved to return to the previous level.
- Restaurant operations should be treated the same as other retail establishments. Shutting down indoor dining should be considered a last option.
- If a shutdown is mandated, restaurants should be recognized as essential businesses and remain open for off-premise sales (e.g., takeout, delivery, and drive-through), as well as outdoor dining.
- Restaurants should receive as much advance notice as possible of changing regulations.
CDC – Due to significant spikes in infection rates, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory against traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. The agency continues to distance itself from the White House and is beginning to assume a posture more consistent with the incoming Biden Administration. More details.
Fight for $15 – Under pressure from labor advocates, the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to study working conditions in the fast-food industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will explore how restaurant operators’ decisions have impacted both employees and the public during the pandemic.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
California – The state approved an emergency COVID-19 workplace rule, outlining the steps employers must take to prevent disease spread.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Michigan – The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) and two hospitality businesses filed a lawsuit against the state this week over new executive orders that will restrict restaurants and bars to outdoor dining, takeout and delivery amid a new surge in COVID-19 cases.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
&pizza – The company announced that it will raise its starting minimum wage to $15/hr by 2022.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Starbucks – The company announced significant changes to its wage structure. Effective Dec. 14, the company is increasing all starting rates by 5 percent, the base pay of all current baristas and supervisors by 10 percent, and employees with three years of continued service by 11 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
U.S. Congress – The U.S. House is expected to approve a bill that would expand the Labor Department apprenticeship program.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
California – The International Franchise Association, along with a number of franchisee associations, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court to stop the state from enforcing AB-5 against franchises.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Activism
CIW – The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) launched a Deliver with Dignity boycott against Wendy’s.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Washington – The governor issued a proclamation capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent and total fees at 18 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Clark County, NV – County commissioners clarified the existing 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees passed in Aug. so that the delivery fee includes the charge for delivering food as well as the fees for listing food on the delivery service platform and online processing fees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
San Mateo County, CA – The county voted to place a temporary 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees, effective until the end of the declared emergency.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Aurora, CO – The city council voted unanimously to place a temporary 15 percent cap on third-party delivery fees.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Broomfield, CO – The city council temporarily capped third-party restaurant delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Chicago, Il – An ordinance was proposed in the city council this week capping third-party delivery fees at 10 percent and any combination of fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Kent, WA – The city passed a 15 percent cap on delivery fees effective Nov. 21.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Tacoma, WA – The mayor signed an emergency proclamation capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent effective immediately.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Duluth, GA – The city becomes the latest to permanently allow the home delivery of beer and wine by convenience stores, grocery stores and restaurants.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Lilburn / Sandy Springs, GA – Both cities approved ordinances allowing that consumption-on-premise permit holders that also hold a packaged retail beer and malt beverage permit can participate in-home delivery operations of wine and malt beverages under an existing on-premise pour license by giving the city a letter of intent to provide the service.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Taxes
San Francisco, CA – In addition to the numerous initiatives on the state ballot this year, voters in San Francisco approved a “CEO tax” that applies to companies in which the highest-paid managerial employee earns 100 times more than the median worker in the city.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Study
McDonald’s – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report finding that a significant number of the recipients of federal aid programs such as Medicaid and food stamps are employed by some of the biggest and more profitable companies in the United States, chief among them Walmart and McDonald’s.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe