News Briefs

As holiday festivities draw near, ezCater, the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US,  released its Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report. Based on a survey of office workers and party planners, the report reveals that 81% of employees plan to attend their company’s holiday celebration this year and 43% of businesses are increasing their party budgets. Above all, food is set to be the star of the event, with 78% saying it is what they look forward to the most.

“With employee attendance and budgets trending up, holiday gatherings continue to be a big part of workplace culture," said Kaushik Subramanian, Chief Revenue Officer, ezCater. "Employees are increasingly looking for ways to socialize and build camaraderie, and there’s no better opportunity for that than over a meal at the company holiday party.”

Key findings from ezCater’s report include:

• Holiday party attendance is trending upwards: Planners estimate that 69% of employees attended last year's holiday party and 81% of employees say they plan to attend it this year.
• Food fuels excitement and camaraderie at holiday parties: A majority of employees (78%) are most excited about the food at holiday parties, with 85% believing it plays a central role in fostering social interaction.
• Alcohol might not make the guest list this year: Although 89% of employees say they try to avoid drinking too much at workplace holiday parties, 27% of decision-makers don’t feel comfortable making alcoholic beverages available in a work setting.
• Companies are increasing their holiday party budgets: 43% of decision-makers expect to spend more on this year’s holiday party than last year’s. On average, they plan to spend $44 per guest on food and beverage.
• Partying on the clock is a much-anticipated holiday gift: 55% of employees favor afternoon office celebrations. Gen Z workers are 50% more likely to look forward to early work dismissals than any other generation.

The full findings from ezCater’s Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report are here. Customers can also find a selection of seasonal menu items for holiday celebrations at www.ezcater.com.

Encore, a global event technology and production services provider, confirmed today the launch of its pioneering ‘Overtime Savings Program’ in the United States, along with additional people-first programs to further support its ongoing workforce in a seasonal industry.

Powered by UKG’s payroll technology, this first-of-its-kind program aims to enhance financial wellness and stability for Encore’s frontline employees, many of whom work in markets that experience seasonal ebb and flow of business volumes.

With 12,000 team members providing event technology and production services at 2,200 hotels and conference venues in 20 countries, Encore faces the same challenges common in the hospitality industry. Seasonal fluctuations often result in workers’ hours varying from ample overtime during peak times to reduced schedules in off-season periods. This seasonality makes it difficult for workers to maintain consistent earnings and creates challenges for companies to retain talent in the off season.

“Encore has always believed its team members are the heart of our story. This people-first mindset motivates us to constantly evolve our team member experience and innovate around challenges, like the impact of seasonality, that the industry previously viewed as immutable,” said Ben Erwin, president and CEO of Encore.

In addition to the Overtime Savings Program, the company launched a Seasonal Leave of Absence Program, which offers team members the flexibility to take time off during slower seasons while retaining full benefits, accruing paid time off, and maintaining their tenure. This unique program enables employees to explore other work opportunities, pursue education, or focus on personal goals without sacrificing benefits or career progression. Both the Overtime Savings and Seasonal Leave of Absence Programs are active nationwide, with plans for global expansion.

“We established the program as another way to support our team members so that they can be at their best in delivering for our customers,” Erwin added. “With this innovation, they can better plan and save their premium overtime pay for periods of the year when they might not work as many hours. Providing this capability and funding a company-paid match for a portion of the savings should motivate financial wellness and enable them to continue to build their career with Encore. Team member reactions tell us we are onto something,” he said.

With a launch just after Labor Day, usage of the UKG Wallet™ increased tenfold compared to the prior year’s period. he company offered an initial savings match, similar to a 401k program incentive match, to reward healthy financial behavior.

“Financial stress is not a problem isolated to our industry, it’s a stressor for nearly everyone,” said Charlie Young, chief human resources officer at Encore. “Nearly 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck¹ and Americans spent $9B in bank overdraft fees in 2023. The more we can do to reduce stress for our team members, the more focused they can be on our customers. We are successful in the event production business because of the unique combination of our technical expertise, hospitality mindset and ability to work under pressure and through challenges. Seasonal fluctuations are part of our business, but with a partner like UKG that understands every industry has unique challenges, we were able to innovate to support those unique needs to make our team members’ lives better.”

Cody Browne, a technical lead with five years of service for Encore in Las Vegas, said he will try the Overtime Savings program, in addition to accruing and saving his Paid Time Off, for the slow season in December in Las Vegas. He hopes the vacation time, in addition to the saved overtime funds, will afford him an out-of-state vacation to visit family. “I love that Encore is creating new opportunities, that’s one of the reasons I am interested in growing my career here,” he said.

In 2024 65% of restaurants adopted new technology to manage labor, though 27% still use manual scheduling, according to research by 7shifts.   The all-in-one scheduling, payroll, and tip management app for restaurant operators, released its annual Restaurant Workforce Report for 2025. 

Based on a survey of more than 900 restaurant managers, the research uncovers important findings about industry growth, hiring challenges, employee engagement, pressing financial considerations, and technology adoption and usage.

Insights

• Tech Adoption: 65% of restaurants adopted new technology to manage labor, though 27% still use manual scheduling. Technology is critical for efficiency and workforce management.
   
• Related: 22% of restaurants planned to change workforce management solutions this year, according to HT's 2024 Restaurant Technology Study
   
• Employee Centricity: Benefits like PTO and positive work environments are priorities, but 69% of restaurants don't offer important services like childcare or mental health support. The research also found that giving feedback is vital for staff engagement, as employees want to know how they're performing and how they can improve.
• Tipping Models: Despite ongoing wage discussions, 63% of restaurants reported no changes to their tipping practices in 2024.
• Rising Wages: Base wages increased by 4% to $14.20/hour, with restaurants offering benefits like 401(k) plans to meet employee expectations and retain staff.
• Regional Wage Disparities: While wages are up nationwide, the Pacific Northwest and Northern California lead with rates above $20/hour, while the Southeast and Midwest lag at $15/hour.

"Our previous research shows that flexibility, camaraderie, and strong management are essential for job satisfaction and retention in the restaurant industry," says Jordan Boesch, CEO at 7shifts. "Flexible hours help employees balance their lives, and an environment that fosters camaraderie keeps teams engaged. As always, effective management was shown to be key, with 45% of employees citing poor leadership as a reason for leaving. Moving forward into 2025, it will be crucial for restaurants to utilize the right strategies and tools that prioritizes satisfaction, connection, and supportive leadership."

A highlight from the report shows that the industry grew this year, with quick-serve restaurant (QSR) dining up by 4%, offsetting losses in the full-service sector.

In addition, the report found that the restaurant industry grew overall by 1.72%, adding 210,300 jobs over the year. However, recruiting and retention remain top concerns for employers, with 65% of respondents describing the current labor market as "tight" or "very tight."

"I feel encouraged about the coming year; I feel that employers are doing a better job of understanding the needs of their employees, and they are making the extra effort to provide those things," said Jana Domanico, senior HR operations manager at Boka Restaurant Group. "It is becoming increasingly difficult to say, 'Well, we have always done things this way,' and to me, this is a good thing. We have to be adaptable and open to employee feedback. Employees can now shape a more sustainable future for themselves in hospitality."

To learn more and access the full report, visit: https://www.7shifts.com/restaurant-workforce-report.

Avalara, Inc., a provider of tax compliance automation software for businesses of all sizes, today announced new and innovative efficiencies for the lodging and hospitality sectors, with the release of Avalara Tax Content (ATC) for Lodging. Leveraging Avalara's proprietary, AI-infused technology, ATC for Lodging gathers, processes and organizes lodging tax data specifically for the lodging and hospitality industries – making it the ideal solution for organizations that require lodging tax content for tax calculations.

ATC for Lodging is a robust addition to Avalara's industry-leading suite of compliance products for lodging and hospitality customers, which includes Avalara AvaTax for Hospitality and Avalara Returns for Hospitality.

"Lodging tax regulations are constantly changing across the state, city, and jurisdictional levels, making it challenging for businesses to maintain the accuracy of tax calculations," said Pam Knudsen, Senior Director of Compliance Services at Avalara. "ATC for Lodging provides organizations, including hotel chains, online travel agencies and marketplaces, property managers and others, with the ability to calculate tax, using AI advances to deliver the researched tax content they need to increase accuracy, uniformity and reliability across multiple locations."

ATC for Lodging provides lodging and hospitality businesses with new benefits and capabilities, including:

• Increased Automation: This new offering supports the efficient use of business resources by replacing manual compliance processes with intelligent automation capabilities, giving businesses control over data management, processing, and scheduling.
• Decreased Risk: ATC for Lodging reduces risk by granting users access to researched and regularly updated lodging tax content, providing uniformity and increased accuracy across locations.
• New Efficiencies in Tax Calculation: By offering both full and partial updates of tax data, ATC for Lodging helps reduce file sizes and gives customers more options.
• To learn more about how your business can benefit from Avalara Tax Content for Lodging, click here.

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its 1,000^th Chipotlane restaurant on November 21. Located in the Kansas City metro area, the milestone restaurant will feature the company's signature digital order drive thru pick-up lane. Of the company's more than 3,600 restaurants in its real estate portfolio, nearly 30% feature a Chipotlane.

"Chipotlanes are a critical piece of our long-term growth goal of reaching 7,000 restaurants in North America," said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer. "This restaurant format is the fastest way for fans to get Chipotle and has proven to increase sales, margins, and returns."

Inside the Chipotlane

Chipotle first introduced the Chipotlane format in the U.S. in early 2018, giving guests and delivery drivers the ability to pick up their Chipotle orders without leaving their cars. New restaurant openings that feature the digital order pick-up lane have demonstrated higher volumes and greater returns than a traditional Chipotle restaurant format. On average, it takes guests less than 30 seconds to complete the Chipotlane process.

Chipotle is building a real estate pipeline that will allow it to accelerate new unit growth to be in the range of 8% to 10% per year, with the majority of new restaurants featuring a Chipotlane. The company is on track to open between 285 to 315 new restaurants this year, which marks record growth for the business. In 2025, Chipotle anticipates opening between 315 to 345 new restaurants with at least 80% including a Chipotlane. 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched the second edition of its iNet Zero Roadmap for Travel & Tourism, revealing the number of global Travel & Tourism businesses setting climate targets has surged by 27% in the past three years, with more than half now actively committed to emissions reduction.

Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan today, the report reveals, 53% of the 250 leading Travel & Tourism businesses analyzed have now set climate targets, a significant increase from 42% in 2021, when the first Net Zero Roadmap was created.

Among these businesses, one third have committed to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) goals, underscoring their dedication to meeting rigorous emissions reduction benchmarks.

Notably, the number of companies adopting SBTi targets has more than doubled since 2021, signalling an accelerated effort by the sector to align with global climate standards.

Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and supported by the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this second edition of the roadmap underscores the urgency of climate action as the sector works towards net zero by 2050.

Building on the foundation of the original roadmap launched in 2021 at COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, the latest edition addresses the escalating environmental impacts on tourism.

It introduces an enhanced decarbonisation framework, including new target corridors to guide Travel & Tourism businesses in setting ambitious, actionable climate targets.

The roadmap highlights that there is no ‘one size that fits all’ solution, as each industry faces its own challenges, with some able to meet their net zero targets earlier than others. 

A major focus of the updated roadmap is improving sector alignment and transparency, particularly as demand for sustainable travel options grows, with 75% of global travellers now expressing a desire to travel more sustainably.

The roadmap also draws on WTTC’s Environmental & Social Research (ESR), which reveals a significant decrease in Travel & Tourism’s carbon emissions footprint.

According to the latest ESR data, Travel & Tourism accounted for 6.5% of global emissions in 2023, down from a peak of 7.8% in 2019, representing an 10.2% reduction in the sector’s greenhouse gas intensity, showcasing the sector’s significant strides toward decoupling growth from emissions.

Across a number of industries, the roadmap notes significant improvements in carbon intensity.

In 2023, the aviation industry achieved a 6% reduction in carbon intensity from 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, while the cruise and accommodation industries both decreased their carbon intensity by 11%.

These reductions are critical as the sector works to balance growth with a meaningful transition to lower emissions.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, “The urgency of climate action in our sector has never been clearer. Climate change is not a future threat – it’s here, and we are all facing the consequences.

“This updated roadmap is a call to action for every business in Travel & Tourism. The sector is moving forward; but we mustn’t rest on the laurels. We must work together with greater ambition and urgency to create a sustainable future for Travel & Tourism. Every step counts towards preserving our planet and the livelihoods of millions.”

Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, Accenture’s Global Travel and Aviation Sustainability Lead, said, “Global Travel companies have made good progress on emissions targets and measurement. The second edition of the roadmap underscores the importance of moving from commitments to actions and provides pragmatic advice on how to work towards decarbonisation of the Travel & Tourism sector.”

Niclas Svenningsen, UNFCCC Manager, Programmes Coordination said: “Since the first edition of this report was published three years ago, the world has experienced a continued out-of-control climate change with new heat records set across the entire planet.

“The impact has been devastating, not least in the tourism industry where many destinations have not only been negatively impacted, but in some cases the impact has been enormous. In a world where business-as-usual for Travel & Tourism is no longer an option, acting on the pathways and target corridors presented in this report, is the only way it can maintain its License to Operate.”

Kanan Gasimov, Head of Cabinet, the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan said: “This roadmap serves as both an actionable guide and a vision-setting tool for the industry, helping us set ambitious goals while providing clear steps to reduce emissions across all tourism subsectors, from accommodation to aviation.

“Azerbaijan is proud to be part of this project. Through our COP29 Presidency, we have successfully advocated for tourism’s inclusion in international climate discussions and committed to embedding sustainable practices in our national policies. Together, we can build a tourism sector that aligns with global climate goals, preserves our natural heritage, and supports the livelihoods of our communities.” 

The updated roadmap also highlights the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.

Reducing emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s lifecycle, SAF has emerged as a cornerstone for aviation's decarbonisation pathway, and the roadmap calls for the expansion of SAF adoption across airlines, supported by investment and regulatory alignment, to accelerate emissions reductions.

It also provides more detailed guidance for small businesses which represent the backbone of Travel & Tourism yet face unique challenges such as defining and following a more strategic decarbonisation approach.

It emphasises the importance of accessible green financing for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), that can often lack the resources to implement sustainability measures.

Despite these advancements, the report identifies ongoing challenges, both internal and external, that require attention. Measuring Scope 3 emissions remains a complex task for many companies, as does achieving regulatory alignment across regions.

A Call to Action for the Sector

WTTC and its Members urge businesses to adopt the roadmap’s target corridors, which suggest specific emissions reduction strategies across various timeframes. These tailored strategies aim to mitigate emissions within the next decade and reinforce long-term climate resilience.

WTTC encourages Travel & Tourism companies, stakeholders, and governments to support and implement the measures outlined in this roadmap.

Whilst the global Travel & Tourism sector is making progress, the global tourism body is urging governments to provide further incentives and subsidies to businesses in order to ensure targets are met.

By uniting in pursuit of net zero, the sector can achieve meaningful climate action, protect vulnerable destinations, and meet the expectations of environmentally conscious travellers worldwide.

To read the report in full, please visit WTTC Research Hub.