Industry News
Gender-neutral signage for single-use facilities in King County
Starting Dec. 1, 2019, restaurants in King County with single-use toilet facilities shall not be restricted to a specific sex or gender identity, and must use gender-neutral signage to indicate
Weekly Update: WIN! Governor signs bill to protect hospitality employees, requires panic buttons
WIN! Governor signs bill to protect hospitality employees, requires panic buttons On Monday Gov. Jay Inslee signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5258, preventing the sexual harassment and sexual assault of
Governor signs bill to protect hotel and motel workers, requires panic buttons
OLYMPIA, Wash. – On Monday, May 13, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5258, preventing the sexual harassment and sexual assault of certain isolated workers, into law. The
Short-term rental legislation signed into law, increases consumer safety
OLYMPIA, Wash. – On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed Substitute House Bill 1798, concerning short-term rentals, into law. This bill was a top priority for the Washington Hospitality Association during
Seattle Hotel Association Evening of Hope Gala raises over $579,000 benefiting StolenYouth
MEDIA CONTACT: Allan Aquila, Allan Aquila & Associates, 206-948-1997, allanaquila@gmail.com SEATTLE, Washington (Feb. 5, 2019) — More than 300 community leaders came together for The Seattle Hotel Association’s 22nd Annual
The Lens: Employers Prep for Paid Leave
The following article was published by The Lens on Dec. 21, 2018. View the article here. With the phase-in period for paid family and medical leave just around the corner,
The Lens: Business community concerned over proposed overtime changes
Reprinted Representatives from the business community say that while they appreciate efforts made by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to update its overtime rules, they are concerned about
Industry executives look ahead to 2019
REPORT FROM THE U.S.—The year isn’t over yet, but executives from public companies on third-quarter earnings calls were sharing what they expect to see in 2019. There are headwinds ahead for some hotel brand companies and real estate investment trusts, but the overall tone on calls in regards to next year was positive. (Hotel News Now)
The fast-food CEO who took over Burger King when he was 32 explains how to find and develop young talent, and how to rise in your own career
Daniel Schwartz is the CEO of Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, Tim Horton’s, and Popeyes. Schwartz started at the investment firm 3G Capital, which appointed him CFO as Burger King before promoting him to CEO of the company in 2013, when he was only 32. (Business Insider)
Eateries, retailers compete for holiday help
The labor crunch is only going to get worse as Thanksgiving and Christmas loom, and restaurants and retailers across the U.S. are tossing out perks to fill their workforce holes before the holiday rush. In the Washington D.C. area, cooks at Clyde’s Restaurant Group eateries can now clock out, grab a seat at the bar and get a 25-percent discount on oysters and wine. (Bloomberg)
Starbucks to cut 5% of its corporate workforce
Starbucks is laying off 5 percent of its corporate workforce, according to a memo obtained by CNBC. The coffee giant had previously indicated it would cut non-retail employees as it shakes up its organizational structure. (CNBC)
Restaurant Prices are Rising, and Traffic is Declining
As this past month’s restaurant results suggest, the industry’s health is in a better place than it was a year ago. It’s far from a full recovery, though. (QSR)
Marriott CEO: Don’t Worry About Our Soft Third Quarter
Like many of its hotel peers, Marriott International saw a relatively softer third quarter in terms of its domestic revenue per available room (RevPAR), but CEO Arne Sorenson isn’t letting the “sobering” third quarter numbers distract him or his team from the bigger tasks at hand — continuing the success of Marriott’s integration of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Nor will Marriott view the softer performance as an indication that more challenging times lie ahead for the overall economy. (Skift)
Marriott maintains small-company values
David Marriott says his family’s hotel company has always placed importance on its people. “My granddad was always late to meetings because he might be talking with a housekeeper about her personal problems. (Hotel News Now)
Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s feed firefighters, evacuees in Calif.
Wildfires raging in California have destroyed chain restaurants including KFC, McDonald’s and Jack in the Box units, according to news reports. Other eateries have been forced to close, and some including Taco Bell and Jersey Mike’s franchisees have been feeding evacuees, firefighters and volunteers. (Nation’s Restaurant News)