Google Maps Now Ranks Your Restaurant. A Florida Food Handler Certificate Is How You Protect That Ranking.
This month, Google Maps rolled out its first-ever Fan-Favorite Dining Lists, and it changes how diners decide where to eat. Released on October 8, 2026, the lists spotlight the most-loved restaurants across 10 major cities, from New York and Chicago to Atlanta, London, and Tokyo. There is an interactive hub where people can browse “Essential […]
Restaurant Hiring Slowed in September 2026: Why Every New Florida Food Handler Certificate Still Matters
Restaurant hiring cooled off in September 2026, but the industry is still growing, and for Florida operators every new hire starts a familiar clock. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, restaurants and bars added about 10,800 jobs in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, roughly a third of August’s pace. Slower hiring does not […]
Website Lawsuits Against Florida Restaurants: What the Law Requires and What Inspectors and Operators Should Know (2026 Guide)
This guide is general information drawn from public reporting and court data. It is not written as, and does not represent, the personal or professional opinion of Ken Kuscher, and it is not legal advice. A new kind of lawsuit is landing on Florida restaurants, and it has nothing to do with the kitchen. […]
Florida’s $15 Minimum Wage in 2026: Why a Florida Food Handler Certificate Online Matters More Than Ever
On September 30, 2026, Florida’s minimum wage rises to $15.00 per hour, the final step of the voter-approved schedule that has lifted pay by one dollar each year since 2021. For restaurant owners and operators, higher labor costs put a sharp new focus on efficiency, retention, and one area that is easy to overlook until […]
The Florida Restaurant Operator’s Fall 2026 Compliance Checklist
Food Handler Certificates, Service Animals, Cash Rounding, and a Shifting Workforce The short answer: Three fast-moving stories shaped the Florida restaurant business this summer: a churning workforce, updated rules on service animals and pets, and the slow disappearance of the penny. Each one lands back on the same operational reality. If you hire, you […]
A Restaurant Industry in Motion: Layoffs, Expansion, and Why Food Handlers Certificates Matter More Than Ever
A snapshot of the U.S. restaurant business in early September 2026 — and what the shakeup means for food-service workers and food safety compliance. Key takeaways (TL;DR) Uber cut about 10% of its workforce (roughly 3,300 jobs) and Wonder cut about 7% (roughly 150 roles) in the same week — a delivery-sector reckoning after years […]
Service Animals and Pets in Florida Restaurants: What the Law Actually Requires (2026 Guide for Operators)
Updated August 2026 · Reviewed by Ken Kuscher, ServSafe-certified instructor and Rule 702-qualified food safety expert witness, Boynton Beach, Florida. The short answer In a Florida restaurant, a customer’s pet dog is not allowed indoors. A pet dog may be allowed in a designated outdoor dining area, but only if your city or county has […]
The Penny Is Going Away: What Cash Rounding Means for Your Restaurant (2026 Guide)
The short answer The U.S. Mint stopped making pennies in November 2025, so the coins are slowly disappearing from cash drawers even though every penny you have is still legal tender. To deal with the shortage, Congress advanced the Common Cents Act, which lets — but does not require — businesses to round cash totals […]
The Real Cost of Turnover Nobody Is Talking About
The NRN a.m. newsletter for August 3, 2026 pulls together several signals about where the U.S. restaurant industry is heading. Between more cautious expansion plans, big bets on customer loyalty, and welcome news for sports bars and restaurants, the overall picture reflects a sector looking to grow sustainably without sacrificing profitability. Starbucks slows its pace […]
Why Hiring Faster Won’t Fix Your Restaurant’s Turnover
Walk into almost any restaurant in America right now and you’ll probably see a “Now Hiring” sign. That’s not new. What has changed is the reason behind it and more importantly, what operators are doing about it. For years, the industry’s default response to turnover has been to hire faster, cast a wider net, and […]