Scattered protests and employee walkouts hit quick-service chains in 60 cities last week in an effort to ramp up pressure for increased wages. While spokesmen for the protests’ organizers estimated that they involved 1,000 foodservice outlets and other retailers, at least two chains—McDonald’s and Wendy’s—said that the protests had minimal effects on their operations. Marchers…

A federal judge is expected to rule this week in the battle between activist shareholder and restaurant chief Sardar Biglari and three Steak ‘n Shake franchisees in Colorado over who controls menu pricing. The operators are suing the company in federal court, claiming that Biglari’s mandate that all stores offer $4 meals is hurting their…

Umami Burger has lost the trademark infringement case it filed in June against Texas-based Umami Mia Pizzeria. In the case, Los Angeles-based Umami Burger asked that the three-month-old Austin restaurant “immediately change their name.” On Aug. 13, a judge denied Umami Burger’s injunction, on the grounds that umami is a common word that cannot be…

North Carolina’s ban on smoking in restaurants and bars has had no negative impact on the businesses’ revenue and employment, according to a new federal study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been studying nine states’ smoking-ban policies, with North Carolina’s regulations serving as a role model. About 24,000 establishments in North Carolina…

Would Utah’s restaurants morph into bars if the state’s longtime restrictions on display and dispensing alcohol, as well as the intent-to-dine laws, were repealed? While only 5% of the liquor served in the state is poured in restaurants, Utah’s legislature continues to debate the fallout from lessening restrictions or tightening the reins on liquor laws.…

Congress has adjourned for the next month, but left behind in both houses are bills that seek to establish the Affordable Care Act’s definition of full-time as 40 hours per week. The ACA currently establishes that businesses with more than 50 full-time workers must provide health insurance for full-time employees who work either 30 hours…

Summer is here, legislation is pending and most state governments are in adjournment. Here’s what’s on the docket during these dog days of August: Meal Taxes: Minneapolis is one of a growing number of cities seeking to shore up governmental coffers with so-called meal taxes. More and more municipalities are considering appending additional taxes to…

Last week saw a state appellate court uphold the New York Supreme Court’s ruling striking down New York City’s ban on restaurants selling sugar-sweetened beverages of more than 16 ounces. The decision that the New York Board of Health and Mental Hygiene “violated the state principle of separation of powers” is a significant blow against…

While menu labeling remains on track—albeit still a bit confusing for many chains—another component of the 2010 Affordable Health Care Act has been delayed. On July 2, the Treasury Dept. announce a yearlong delay for the law’s mandate that requires “large employers” to report to the IRS whether they offered their full-time employees and their…

It’s a clean slate for hundreds of restaurants which have been certified, or re-certified, under the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission’s Clean Bay Restaurant Certification Program. Stormwater runoff is a major source of coastal pollution in southern California. Restaurants produce large amounts of waste, which when handled improperly, can enter the storm drain system and…