News & Analysis as of

Restaurant Industry Employer Responsibilities

Epstein Becker & Green

D.C.’s Tipped Minimum Wage Appears Here to Stay

Epstein Becker & Green on

Earlier this summer, the Washington, D.C. Council (“Council”) narrowly passed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget (the “Amendment”) partially repealing portions of Initiative 82 and restructuring how tipped workers’...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Maine Law Requires Employee Compensation When Employers Cancel or Shorten Shifts

On June 24, 2025, Maine enacted a new law requiring employers to compensate employees who report to their scheduled shifts but have their hours reduced or cancelled by their employer. This law will primarily impact businesses...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

California Law Strengthens Enforcement of Tip Theft

On July 30, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill (Senate Bill 648) that authorizes the state’s labor commissioner to investigate tip theft and levy fines for violations. The new law is particularly...more

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Service Charges vs. Tips: Ensuring Legal Compliance in New York Restaurants

Understanding the difference between service charges and tips is critical for New York restaurant owners to remain compliant with state and federal labor laws. Misclassifying these charges can lead to legal disputes,...more

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Overtime Compliance for New York Restaurant Owners: Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes

Running a restaurant in New York involves managing a fast-paced, labor-intensive business—and keeping up with employment laws can be overwhelming. One of the most common legal pitfalls restaurant owners face is overtime...more

Holland & Knight LLP

It's up to Localities: Will Colorado Employers See a Decrease in Tipped Minimum Wage?

Holland & Knight LLP on

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on June 3, 2025, signed House Bill (HB) 25-1208 into law in an effort to alleviate economic stress on the restaurant industry in Colorado by permitting localities to reduce the minimum wage for...more

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Meal and Rest Break Requirements for New York Restaurants: What Owners Need to Know

In the hustle of running a restaurant, it’s easy for meal breaks to slip through the cracks. However, New York law has specific requirements for giving your employees time to eat and rest. Ensuring your staff takes legally...more

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Understanding Spread of Hours Pay: Compliance Guide for New York Restaurant Owners

Long days and double shifts are common in the restaurant business. As a New York restaurant owner, it’s crucial to understand the “spread of hours” rule – a unique state requirement that can catch employers off guard. This...more

Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP

Tip Pooling and Tip Credit Compliance: A Guide for New York Restaurant Owners

New York restaurant owners must navigate complex tip pooling and tip credit regulations to ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws. Failure to follow these rules can result in lawsuits, back wages, and penalties....more

Franczek P.C.

Another Cook in the Kitchen: Court Finds Chef is Entitled to Overtime

Franczek P.C. on

Many employers make the mistake of assuming that employees can be treated as exempt so long as they have certain job titles or are paid a salary rather than an hourly wage. That error is especially common in small businesses...more

Littler

Chicago Phases Out the Tip Credit Starting July 1, 2024

Littler on

On July 1, 2024, Chicago will take its first step towards eliminating the tip credit. That day, the tip credit amount an employer can claim decreases from 40% to 32% of the applicable minimum wage. Every year thereafter, on...more

Clark Hill PLC

The Learned Concierge - December 2023, Vol. 3

Clark Hill PLC on

Welcome to your monthly legal insights on the trends impacting the Retail, Hospitality, and Food & Beverage Industries....more

Littler

Ontario, Canada Pauses Lifting of Capacity Limits in Remaining Higher-Risk Settings

Littler on

On November 10, 2021, Ontario announced that, out of an abundance of caution, it is pausing the lifting of capacity limits in the following higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Picking Up the “Key to NYC”: New Vaccination Regulations Now Effective for New York City Employers

On August 3, 2021, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the “Key to NYC” program (“Key to NYC” or the “Program”), which implemented new mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements for employees and patrons of certain...more

Littler

Bouncing Back (and Forth): Statewide Reopening and Mitigation Steps (UPDATED)

Littler on

As the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, government officials at all levels are reevaluating their health and safety protocols and adjusting workplace guidance based on ever-shifting case metrics. While...more

Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP

LA County’s New Reopening Rules for Businesses

On March 15, 2021, Los Angeles County officially entered into the state’s Red Tier, permitting indoor dining at 25% occupancy. The County’s Department of Public Health issued a revised Public Health Order (the “Order”) with...more

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant Program

Congress has authorized a promising grant program for restaurants, bars, breweries, food trucks and caterers, with grants awarded based on the recipient’s decline in revenues during 2020. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund...more

Littler

Michigan Issues Updated Guidance on Face Coverings and Gatherings

Littler on

On March 2, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an order updating its previous stance on face coverings in most public settings, and on the number of individuals who can attend certain...more

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

New York City Enacts Protections for Fast Food Industry Workers Against Termination and Scheduling Changes

Mayor Bill De Blasio signed into law two bills on January 5, 2021, 1396-A and 1415-A as introduced in 2019, regulating employment in the fast food industry. The bills create limitations that affect hiring, firing,...more

Littler

Michigan Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions, Allows Dining in at Restaurants

Littler on

On January 22, 2021, after two months of stringent lockdown orders (released 11/15/2020, 12/07/2020, 12/18/2020, & 1/13/2021), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new epidemic order...more

Saul Ewing LLP

NYC Gives Major Protections To Fast Food Workers

Saul Ewing LLP on

On January 5, 2021, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed two new laws that provide significant safeguards for workers in NYC’s fast food industry. Effective July 4, 2021, fast food employees who have completed an initial...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Los Angeles County Restricts In-Person Dining Due to Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (“L.A. Public Health”) announced that all outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants, breweries and wineries will be restricted,...more

Littler

Ontario, Canada: New COVID-19 Response Framework Will Take Effect November 7

Littler on

On November 3, 2020, Ontario announced a new COVID-19 Response Framework, Keeping Ontario Safe and Open (New Framework) that will be approved by Cabinet on November 6, 2020.  Public health units will be transitioned to the...more

Fisher Phillips

Stopping The Spread Of COVID-19 Hate Crimes In Reopened Restaurants

Fisher Phillips on

As restaurants continue to reopen out of economic necessity despite a global pandemic, employers and employees alike remain concerned about the possibility of COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace. No longer are bad Yelp...more

Stokes Wagner

Nevada Hospitality Employers Face New Virus-Combating Protocols

Stokes Wagner on

On August 11, 2020, Nevada Governor signed Senate Bill No. 4 (SB 4) into law, introducing a myriad of new measures to enhance worker safety related to COVID-19 for employers in the hospitality industry. Specifically,...more

94 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 4

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide