New York State Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act Cracks Down on a "Leech Industry"
The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Chipotle and Sweetgreen Settle Food Fight Over CHIPOTLE Trademark
Shining a Light on Greek Cuisine with Chef Doug Psaltis
Podcast: The Briefing by the IP Law Blog - Cookie Co’s Motion to Dismiss Trademark Lawsuit by Restaurant Crumbles
The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Cookie Co’s Motion to Dismiss Trademark Lawsuit by Restaurant Crumbles
FLSA and Wage and Hour Issues for Restaurants
Restaurant Rebound: How Employers Can Build and Keep Top-Notch Service Teams
Reporting Cash Tips to the IRS [More with McGlinchey, Ep. 24]
From More Delivery, Takeout and Outdoor Dining Options to Financial Relief – How Restaurants Have Managed Throughout the Pandemic
Strategies for Restaurant Owners to Survive in the New Normal
RCG Webinar | Where's the Beef?
II-30- Tackling 3 Big Wage and Hour Questions for Employers
Stealth Lawyer: Mark Russ Federman, Appetizing Shop Owner
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
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
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
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
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
Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell issued citations against restaurant Azumi LLC (Azumi), and its manager for allegedly requiring service employees to share tips with managers in violation of state wage and hour laws....more
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
Members of California’s Fast Food Council were not deterred by a chorus of franchise owners who gathered at a Jan. 23 meeting to object to plans for another minimum wage increase in the fast-food industry. Here’s the latest...more
In the spirit of the season, we are using our annual "12 Days of California Labor and Employment" blog series to address new California laws and their impact on employers. On the tenth day of the holidays, my labor and...more
In the recent Massachusetts state election, voters faced a pivotal decision on a ballot initiative aiming to eliminate the tip credit system. The proposal sought to require employers to pay tipped employees the full state...more
On September 18, 2024, at the request of the State of Michigan and its attorney general, the Michigan Supreme Court clarified issues relating to future minimum wage rates and minimum cash wage rates for tip-credit employees...more
There’s been a lot of buzz about tipped wages as Election Day approaches – and hospitality employers will want to track key proposals that may have a huge impact on pay practices. Former President Trump and Vice President...more
On August 22, 2024, the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) issued a press release on the heels of the Mothering Justice decision, about which we previously wrote, and which will drastically change the...more
Tips from Seyfarth is a blog series for employers, and their in-house lawyers and HR, payroll, and compensation professionals, in the food, beverage, and hospitality sector. We curate wage and hour compliance “tips” to keep...more
Effective April 1, 2024, a new California law will require employers in the state’s fast casual restaurant industry to pay covered non-exempt employees a minimum wage of $20 an hour. This article summarizes the steps...more
Almost half of the states, and several major localities, will increase their minimum wage rates in 2024, with a majority of the changes effective on January 1, 2024. The table below lists state and certain major locality...more
When I reflect on the relationship that our firm has with our clients, I’m most proud of the fact that you can always count on us. That often means defending complex litigation, steering you through regulatory threats,...more
Evanston, Illinois, has adopted an ordinance requiring certain employers in designated industries to give workers a 14-day notice of schedule changes and compensate them with “predictability pay” if any changes occur less...more
Executive Summary: Beginning January 1, 2024, restaurant employers in California will be required to pay their workers for all costs associated with obtaining a food handler card, including treating the time spent obtaining...more
Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the FAST Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (AB 257), which sought to increase the California minimum wage to $22 per hour, with annual increases thereafter, and...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: California has increased the minimum wage of fast food workers to $20, and authorized the creation of the Fast Food Council comprised of representatives from labor and management to set minimum standards...more
New York City is still undertaking efforts to become the first major U.S. city to implement a minimum pay-rate for app-based restaurant delivery workers. The new law was initially scheduled to go into effect July 12, 2023....more
Effective January 1, 2024, the general statewide minimum wage will increase by .50 cents, bringing the hourly rate from $15.50 to $16.00. Please also keep in mind that many (around 35-40) cities and counties in...more
California has long required food handlers in restaurants to obtain certification — and until now, training and testing has been the employee’s responsibility. A new law Governor Newsom approved on October 8, however, shifts...more