POLITICAL:

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has limited religious exemptions for vaccine mandates. Restaurants and other employers can deny such exemptions if they pose “undue hardship.”

SOCIAL:

Females in Food Community launched its corporate partnership program designed for food and beverage corporations committed to strengthening company culture and adding talented women to leadership positions.

ENVIRONMENTAL:

Concerns about sustainable practices have contributed to the rise of companies like TrusTrace, which utilizes technology to track and provide a flow of information on food as it makes its way from field to processing plant to table.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Here’s the case for a shorter work week.

ECONOMIC:

In the wake of the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry has seen a boom in franchise expansion. Second-generation real estate, strong franchising sales and surging diner demand are all contributing factors.

TECHNOLOGY:

In order to overcome COVID-19’s challenges—surge in demand, supply chain issues and staffing shortages—restaurant priorities matter. Prioritizing digital connectivity and emerging technology is part of a recipe for restaurant success.

LEGAL:

The National Restaurant Association is appealing to local governments across the U.S. for help extending, expanding and promoting outdoor dining, and to make it easier for restaurants to do so during the colder winter months when that revenue may otherwise be lost.