regulation

Taxman is easier to take in Nev. and Fla., study finds

By Peter Romeo on Oct. 10, 2013

Taxes may be inevitable, but at least they’re a little more tolerable for businesses in Nevada, Florida and Washington, according to a new ranking of the 50 states by their commercial tax codes.

France forces restaurants to label homemade cuisine

Jul. 15, 2014

Restaurants, caterers and outdoor food stall operators all must now identify housemade meals with a special logo. The goal is to preserve the nation's culinary reputation, but critics argue the new rules are confusing.

California: New mandatory water conservation rules for lawns, hotels, restaurants

Mar. 19, 2015

New mandatory conservation rules will require restaurants to hold off from providing water unless it is requested by the guest.

Worker centers spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E

By Peter Romeo on Nov. 01, 2013

At a tech conference, you expect acronyms to drop like F-bombs at a Sopranos barbecue. POS, PCI, CMS—the presentations were an effing alphabet soup. But one all-caps tag was usually implied rather than said outright, even though it figured into considerable conversation at FSTEC.

California workers get ready to start the paid sick-leave era

Sep. 05, 2014

Gov. Jerry Brown has indicated he’ll sign into law a bill that was passed during the holiday weekend. The measure would cover 44 percent of employees in the state, which is the nation’s largest restaurant market.

McDonald's wage plan renews debate on independence of franchisees

Apr. 03, 2015

The move is cited by both parties in the debate over franchisors being reclassified as “joint employers” of franchisees’ staffs.

Restaurants’ new legal obligations

By Peter Romeo on Jan. 03, 2014

Here’s a sampling of the restaurant-relevant laws and regulations that went into effect with the New Year.

Bloomberg to back soda tax in Berkeley

Oct. 20, 2014

A proposal in Berkeley, Calif., to levy a penny-an-ounce tax on sugared sodas is seen as a test of the public’s willingness to fight obesity with price manipulations. Now former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has reportedly thrown his weight and considerable financial resources behind passing the ballot measure.

Seattle City Council passes soda tax

By Heather Lalley on Jun. 06, 2017

Seattle joins the growing ranks of cities to levy taxes on sugary drinks.

Consumer Trends

No smoke, but fire for sure

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 05, 2014

It had been just a bad memory: Smokers raising hell in restaurants that dared to curb their vice, and the health-minded leaning hard on operators to snuff out second-hand smoke.

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