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☆ California could soon have nation’s highest minimum wage if voters approve
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —California voters will decide this election whether to increase the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour, which would be the highest in the US. Currently, the Golden State’s minimum wage is $16 and is set to rise to $16.50 next year. California has been among the more aggressive states when it comes to hiking the minimum wage. Some 44% of likely California voters said they would vote yes in an October poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, down from 50% in September. Jerry Brown, gradually raised the minimum wage, giving employers the opportunity to adjust, Condie said.

Persons: Joe Sanberg, ” Sanberg, “, Enrique Lopezlira, ” Lopezlira, ” Jennifer Barrera, Jot Condie, ”, Jerry Brown, Condie Organizations: CNN, Public, Institute of California, Institute for Research, Labor, Employment, University of California, MIT, California Chamber of Commerce, Golden State, California Restaurant, Democratic Gov Locations: California, Berkeley, Golden

☆ McDonalds is bringing back bagels to boost California sales after state minimum wage hike
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The popular menu item, plus a $15 million ad buy, could boost sales by 10%, according to Bloomberg. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementCalifornia's newly enacted fast food wage hike is already having an effect, though not one lawmakers likely had in mind when writing the law: bagels are back at McDonald's in the state. Related storyMcDonald's told Business Insider that the team's recommendations were based on best practices from other locations where restaurant operators have had to navigate local wage hikes. Scott Rodrick, who owns 18 McDonald's locations in the state, told Business Insider he's already raised menu prices between 5% and 7% since January, but there is a limit to the prices his customers will pay.

Persons: —, Scott Rodrick, he's, Kerri Harper, Howie Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Golden State, KTLA News Locations: California, McDonald's

☆ California just hiked minimum wage for fast food workers. Some restaurants are replacing them with kiosks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —California just raised the minimum wage for the state’s fast food sector workers by $4 to $20. And, although many casual observers disagree, higher wages for fast food workers could actually help fast food owners, Dongoski said. The employment level in fast food restaurants still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic levels. This has nothing to do with minimum wage.”However, the minimum wage increase serves as an accelerant, Brown said. The changes are necessary, said Ghai, who employs 3,700 fast food workers in California.

Persons: ”, Rob Dongoski, Dongoski, hasn’t, ” Dongoski, McDonald’s, Katie Fogerty, “, David Paul Morris, Burger, Marbue Brown, we’ve, ” Brown, that’s, Brown, “ It’s, Taco, Ghai, “ Everyone’s, ” Ghai, he’s, Harsh Ghai, Condie, ” Condie Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg, Getty, Burger, Taco Bell, CNN, California Restaurant Association Locations: New York, California, Kearney, Larkspur , California, New York City

☆ It looks like In-N-Out Burger really won't come to the East Coast any time soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In-N-Out president Lynsi Snyder told NBC's Today she has no plans to expand to the East Coast. The Californian cult burger chain has about 400 chains in eight states. AdvertisementEast Coast fans of In-N-Out Burger have been waiting with bated breath for the cult burger chain to announce its expansion to their part of the country — and they'll be disappointed by Lynsi Snyder's recent interview with NBC's Today. Related storiesWhen new In-N-Out restaurants open, they're typically met with a massive fanfare. AdvertisementBusiness Insider has approached In-N-Out for comment on why it doesn't plan to expand to the East Coast.

Persons: Lynsi Snyder, NBC's, Snyder, —, they'll, Lynsi, Savannah Sellers, Sellers, it's, Burger King Organizations: Service, NBC's, Washington State, BI, Subway Locations: East Coast, East, Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County , California, California, Las Vegas, Arizona , Utah , Texas , Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Tennessee, Nashville, Burger, McDonald's

☆ A California restaurant owner says he'll 'absolutely' have to put up wages to compete with fast-food chains now paying $20 an hour
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe owner of a restaurant in California says he'll "absolutely" have to raise his wages to compete with local fast-food chains now that they're paying workers $20 an hour. "It's already hard to find dishwashers, which is a horrible job for minimum wage," Vitalie continued. Restaurant margins 'are so small to begin with'The new minimum wage compounds what Vitalie described as years of difficulties for independent restaurants in California. "And with the rise of inflation with food costs and labor costs, it's getting really, really bad." South San Francisco has put up its minimum wage annually since 2020, and it reached $17.25 an hour in January.

Persons: —, Sal Vitalie, Vitalie, it's, he'd, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Garden Club, South San Locations: California, South San Francisco, San Mateo County

☆ Berkeley Will Repeal Its Landmark Ban on Natural Gas in New Homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Brad Plumer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The city of Berkeley, Calif., has agreed to repeal a landmark climate rule that would have banned natural gas hookups in new homes, throwing into question the fate of dozens of similar restrictions on gas in cities across the country. The city settled the lawsuit last week by agreeing to immediately halt enforcement of the rule and eventually repeal it altogether. “To comply with the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, we have ceased enforcement of the gas ban,” Farimah Brown, the city attorney for Berkeley, said in an email. However, she added, “Berkeley will continue to be a leader on climate action.”The decision could have widespread ripple effects. Many of those efforts are facing fierce resistance and legal challenges from the gas industry, restaurants and homebuilders.

Persons: ” Farimah Brown, “ Organizations: California Restaurant Association, United States, Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Berkeley, New Locations: Berkeley, Calif, “ Berkeley, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

☆ Deadly illness outbreak linked to morel mushrooms may have stemmed from preparation, CDC says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Although morels are generally considered safe, the mushrooms were at the heart of a deadly illness outbreak in Montana last year. In the end, 51 people reported getting sick after eating there, and 45 of them reported eating the morels during March and April of last year. Most of the customers who got sick reported vomiting and serious/severe diarrhea. The CDC investigation determined that the morel mushrooms were cultivated and imported fresh from China. “A lot of mushrooms have various toxins that get broken down when they’re cooked, and that makes them safer.

Persons: “, ”, Greg Mueller, they’re, Matthew Nelsen, morel, ” Mueller, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, “ It’s, Nelsen, “ There’s, ” Muller Organizations: CNN, US Centers for Disease Control, Chicago Botanic Garden, Field Museum, CDC, Investigators, CNN Health Locations: Montana, Chicago, Bozeman , Montana, China, California, morel, morels

☆ Why Panera is causing a stir in California politics
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

And Panera Bread has been caught in the middle. Newsom has also said that Panera may not be exempt from the new minimum wage law after all. Nevertheless, on Thursday, Republican lawmakers in California called on the state’s attorney general to investigate the minimum wage exemption. Flynn’s company operates more than just Panera Bread locations. Stack also said that Newsom’s legal team determined that the carve-out would likely not apply to most Panera Bread locations.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Greg Flynn, Newsom’s, Newsom, Flynn, Panera, ”, Brian Jones, owner’s Newsom, Myung J, Chun, “, ” Flynn, Taco, –, Alex Stack, Stack Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Democratic California Gov, Republican, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Flynn Group, Taco Bell Locations: California, Los Angeles , CA

☆ I'm a California restaurant operator preparing for the $20-an-hour fast-food wage by trimming hours, eliminating employee vacation, and raising menu prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The main reason: California fast-food workers are getting a big bump in pay to $20 an hour under a new state law that goes into effect in April. That new wage is nearly 30% more than most employers pay fast-food workers. 1 thing every California fast-food food owner was talking about. Raising wages for managers and shift leaders so they won't fleeThe minimum wage in California is $16 an hour. "This program should have been phased in over time instead of jumping the California minimum wage for our staff by 25% in one single day," he said.

Persons: —, Marcus Walberg, Walberg, He's, Seth Lederman, Frannexus, Lederman, he'd, he's, We'll Organizations: Service, Business, Florida Locations: Los Angeles, California, Chili's, McDonald's

☆ I've tried dozens of plant-based fast-food dishes. This new fried cauliflower sandwich was the best.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A handful of restaurants across the US have changed their exterior marquee signs to read, "Dave's NOT Chicken." The chain changed its marquee to "Dave's Not Chicken" at a Santa Ana, California restaurant. Nancy Luna/Business InsiderDave's Hot Chicken was founded as a pop-up restaurant in East Hollywood in 2017. But the chain's culinary team couldn't find "any product that delivered the same craveability as our chicken," the chain told Business Insider. "Seeing Chick-fil-A's test further validated that this could be a viable option, so long as we could nail the flavor profile," the chain told Business Insider.

Persons: Nancy Luna, Arman Oganesyan, Dave's, Chick Organizations: East Hollywood Locations: Santa Ana , California, East

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (AP) — Four people sustained non-life threatening injuries when a shooter opened fire inside a Brazilian restaurant south of San Diego, police said. Authorities believe the shooting resulted from a dispute between two groups of people and the suspect fled before officers arrived. Chula Vista police did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Investigators do not believe the shooter had any other intended targets or that there was a continued threat to the shopping mall. Political Cartoons View All 1227 ImagesThe city of Chula Vista is about 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) south of San Diego.

Organizations: Town, Authorities, Police Locations: CHULA VISTA, Calif, San Diego, NOVO Brazil, Chula Vista

☆ Chipotle says it will raise menu prices because of new California minimum wage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“We are definitely going to pass this on.”A company spokesperson later told CNN that Chipotle hadn’t yet decided whether it will raise prices in California. Gavin Newsom in September signed legislation that raises the minimum wage to $20 an hour for fast food workers, and creates a council that can approve further increases in the future. The state’s current minimum wage is $15.50 an hour and will increase to $16 an hour on January 1. The new hourly wage for fast food workers will take effect on April 1 of next year. But workers have said that the higher minimum wage will make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Persons: New York CNN —, ”, John Hartung, we’ve, Gavin Newsom, Chipotle, Anneisha Williams, Jack, Williams Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, California ., California . California Gov, Employees Locations: New York, California, ”, California . California

☆ Vomit fees are being added to some restaurant brunch bills. Be careful with those bottomless mimosas!
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

California restaurants are charging customers $50 cleaning fees for drunken incidents, reports say. Bottomless brunch specials give customers an hour or so to enjoy as many mimosas as they want. A $50 cleaning fee will automatically include in your [tab] when you throw up in the public areas. San Francisco-area restaurant Home Plate has added the warning of a $50 cleaning fee to their menu. Airbnb hosts charge guests up to $300 in cleaning fees in some cases.

Persons: —, Chaiporn Kitsadaviseksak, SFGate, hasn't, Uber Organizations: Service Locations: California, San Francisco, Francisco

☆ Chipotle tests automation for burrito bowls and salads
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing whether automation can make customers' burrito bowls and salads. It's the second time the burrito chain has publicly announced testing automation at its innovation center. Roughly two-thirds of all Chipotle digital orders are either burrito bowls or salads, according to Chipotle. The Hyphen robot will make burrito bowls and salads for digital orders only. Simultaneously, an employee can assemble digital orders for other items, such as tacos, quesadillas and burritos, on the digital make line.

Persons: Chipotle's, Sweetgreen, Jonathan Neman, Chipotle Organizations: Ono Locations: California

☆ McDonald's is scrapping the baked goods in its McCafé range after less than 3 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's is stopping its McCafé baked goods. The McCafé Bakery menu had three items: an apple fritter, blueberry muffin, and cinnamon roll. Since its launched the McCafé Bakery menu, some temporary items have been added to its lineup, including a cheese Danish and pull-apart doughnut. Some people have voiced their frustration about the decision on social media, though others have used it as an opportunity to express their dislike of the baked goods. But the removal of the McCafé Bakery items doesn't necessarily signal that the chain is giving up on regaining its breakfast share.

Persons: McDonald's, didn't, Chris Kempczinski Organizations: Service, CNN, Twitter Locations: Wall, Silicon, Indiana, Kentucky, California

☆ Diners are shocked to see a 4% 'employee healthcare' fee on their bills at an LA restaurant — but the owner says it's common
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Diners are increasingly noticing restaurant surcharges. A Los Angeles eatery received blowback after a diner tweeted about its 4% healthcare surcharge. Some questioned if the owner would cancel an employee's health insurance on a slow night. If the restaurant has a slow day or u opt-out, do staff not get health insurance that day?" "As most LA diners will know, Alimento's 4% healthcare surcharge is hardly unique," he wrote.

Persons: Dave Anthony, Mr Dave Anthony, Lord, Anthony, Alimento, Zach Pollack, Instagram, Pollack, Condie, surcharges, Vinny's Organizations: Industry, Service, Twitter, Affordable, ACA, California Restaurant Association, Restaurant Association, Jon, Daily Mail, CRA Locations: Los Angeles, Wall, Silicon, Italian, Silver Lake, North America, California, San Francisco, Dallas

☆ The strange history of Taco Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Regional chain Taco John’s owns the “Taco Tuesday” trademark, and last week it responded to a lawsuit from Taco Bell that aims to cancel the trademark. The story begins in the 1980s, when a Taco John’s restaurant owner coined the term “Taco Twosday” to advertise a deal of 99 cents for two tacos on its slowest day of the week. Since then, Taco John’s has defended its use of the phrase and sent cease-and-desist letters to others trying to use it. “We also recognize that the unauthorized use [of Taco Tuesday] is prolific, and we do our best to communicate ownership.”It’s not only Taco Bell that wants to eliminate the trademark. “This is not going to be something where Taco Bell is going to be able to declare victory anytime soon,” he said.

Persons: Taco, ”, Taco John’s, we’ve, Billie Jo Waara, “, ” It’s, Taco Bell, ’, Gregory, Josh Gerben, John’s, Gerben Organizations: New, New York CNN, “ Taco, Taco John’s, Taco, Gregory Hotel, Taco Bell, “, CNN Locations: New York, Taco Bell, Wyoming, California, New Jersey, —

☆ McDonald's is going after one of Starbucks' crown jewels and testing cold brew
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's is testing new cold brew options in select Southern California restaurants. The fast-food chain is testing two cold brew options at some Southern California locations, Restaurant Business reported. McDonald's is piloting traditional cold brew, served black over ice, as well as a marble cold brew, which contains syrup and cream. More recently, the chain has added four new McCafé menu options in Australia, including a banana and blueberry loaf, according to the Daily Mail. McDonald's reported 12% global comparable-store sales growth in the fourth quarter, compared with 5% growth for Starbucks.

☆ Federal court strikes down a California city's natural gas ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Berkeley, California, cannot enforce a ban on natural gas hookups in new buildings, saying a U.S. federal law preempts the city's regulation. In the appeal, the three-judge panel said the U.S. Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975 preempts the city's ban on the installation of natural gas piping within new construction. The decision could have ramifications for efforts by other cities and counties in California to ban natural gas appliances in new buildings to help reduce climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. A few dozen cities across the country, including San Francisco, New York City, San Jose, Seattle, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, have also moved to ban natural gas hookups in some new buildings, citing environmental and health reasons. The ruling reversed a 2021 decision by a U.S. district judge who had blocked the challenge to the city's ban.

☆ Final farewell: From Sidney Poitier to Pope Emeritus Benedict a look back at the influential figures who died in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +55 min

Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022 (cause of death cited for younger people, if available):___JANUARY___Dan Reeves, 77. A Cuban-born artist whose radiant color palette and geometric paintings were overlooked for decades before the art world took notice. A prolific character actor best known for playing villains and tough guys in “The Manchurian Candidate,” “Ocean’s Eleven” and other films.

☆ The year of the restaurant robot: Why chains are investing in automation and what it means for workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

This year brought a flurry of automation announcements in the restaurant industry as operators scrambled to find solutions to a shrinking workforce and climbing wages. Three-quarters of restaurant operators are facing staffing shortages that keep them from operating at full capacity, according to the National Restaurant Association. Many restaurant operators hiked wages to attract workers, but that pressured profits at a time when food costs were also climbing. "Automation is one word, and a lot of people go right to robotics and a robot flipping burgers or making fries. The labor questionAutomation often faces pushback from workers and labor advocates, who see it as a way for employers to eliminate jobs.

A Washington state man who called Buffalo, New York, grocery stores threatening to shoot Black people a month after a racist mass shooting pleaded guilty to a hate crime Monday, prosecutors said. George called multiple grocery stores on June 19, June 20 and June 21 and threatened to shoot Black customers, the U.S. attorney’s office for Western Washington said in a statement. George pleaded guilty Monday to a count of interstate threats and a count of interference with a federally protected activity, which is a hate crime, prosecutors said. In the calls to the Buffalo stores, George said he was nearby and had assault rifles, and he threatened to shoot Black people, according to a plea agreement. In one of the calls, George said he could "pick people off" from a parking lot.

☆ A California restaurant owner said she received threats after posting a picture of staff with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell without knowing his role in politics
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A California restaurant was threatened after posting a picture online of staff with Mike Lindell, per SFGATE. The staff only knew him as the boss of MyPillow, not for his role in politics, the owner told SFGATE. Since posting the picture, the restaurant has received several threatening calls, Hill told SFGATE. Hill told SFGATE that she and her colleagues were unaware of Lindell's stance in politics. "This was the first person that had come into the restaurant that they had seen on TV," Hill told SFGATE.

☆ Chipotle Mexican Grill will test robotic tortilla chip maker 'Chippy' in California restaurant
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chipotle Mexican Grill is moving one step closer to having a robot make its tortilla chips. The burrito chain said Tuesday that it will test "Chippy," an autonomous kitchen assistant made by Miso Robotics, next month in a restaurant in Fountain Valley, California. Chipotle has already tested Chippy's ability to make and season its tortilla chips with salt and lime at its headquarters' innovation hub in Irvine, California. Today, workers at Chipotle restaurants fry and season the chips, which can be time consuming. Restaurants and retailers have been testing robotics and automation to speed up operations and reduce menial tasks for workers.

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