Articles

News Bites – September 2024

August was the Largest Monthly Employment Increase of the Year for Restaurants
In August, the restaurant industry added a net of 29,900 jobs – the highest monthly increase of the year. This gain surpassed the previous high of 29,500 jobs added in March, and it is significantly larger than the previous three months. The added 29,900 jobs in the restaurant industry accounted for about 21% of all U.S. jobs added in August.
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Kids Eat Free All Day, Everyday at Noodles & Company
For a limited time, Noodles & Company is offering guests a free kids’ meal when they purchase a regular entrée. This offer is available everyday from open to close and can be redeemed in-store, in-app, or online.
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Ohio State University Student-Athletes Get Weekly Free Entrée with Chipotle Partnership
During the 2024-2025 school year, Chipotle is partnering with Ohio State University to provide every student-athlete with their own customized card that can be used for one free entrée per week during their respective seasons.
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National Taco Day Officially Moved to the First Tuesday in October, Thanks to Taco Bell
After successfully removing trademark obligations for Taco Tuesday, Taco Bell persuaded the National Day Calendar to officially make National Taco Day fall on a Tuesday every year. Now, National Taco Day will be the first Tuesday in October every year as opposed to the previous designation of October 4.
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What the Overturning of the 80/20 Tip Credit Rule Means for Restaurants
The most recent version of the 80/20 labor rule was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in early September. This rule would not allow the federal tip credit to be used if a tipped employee spent more than 20% of their time performing non-tipped work or 30 consecutive minutes on non-tipped work. The rule is no longer in place, and employers can revert back to the original rule.
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Suggested Reading

Restaurants Leaning into Gen Z

As Gen Z comes of age, restaurant owners may want to consider branding or rebranding in a way that keeps Gen Z in mind. According to Forbes, Gen Z will account for approximately 27% of the workforce by 2025. Being born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z ranges from young

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News Bites – October 2024

Gen-Z Teenagers Shifting Away from McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and More There is a shift in Gen-Z teenagers’ interest in popular chains like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Raising Cane’s, and Texas Roadhouse. Their preferences are shifting and popularity for these chains are slowly declining. However, teen spending is up – they

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