NYC Restaurant Resource Guide

As of June 19, 2024, Labor Law Section 206-c provides all employees with the right to paid break time to express breast milk in the workplace regardless of the size of their employer or the industry they work in. Employers are required to tell employees about their rights regarding breast milk expression by providing them the NYS Department of Labor (DOL) Policy on the Rights of Employees to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace when they start a new job and annually thereafter.

As of August 1, 2023, ALL food-related businesses in NYC must use rigid containers with secure lids when setting out trash for collection. Containers should be stored inside or in a rear yard if possible. If space is not available, bins can be stored within three (3) feet of the building line when not set out for collection. Bins must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.

NYC DOHMH recommends:

1. Using hard sided bins with tight fitting lids (some have lids that lock)
2. Permanently attached lid to prevent loss
3. Handle to make chaining easier
4. Do not drill holes for draining or to attach a chain
5. Replace any cans with holes, cracks or damage
6. Wheels help in moving cans from curb back into establishment
7. Regularly clean containers with a sudsy cleaner or 10% bleach solution

Commercial Waste Zones  

The NYC Department of Sanitation has divided the five boroughs into 20 Commercial Waste Zones and established new contracts with carters authorized to work in each zone. Businesses must sign a new service agreement with a zone-authorized carter when their zone is rolled out. Find your zone here.

The NYC Department of Sanitation has implemented a new rule to reduce the time that trash, recycling, and curbside composting will sit on sidewalks. As of April 1, 2023, businesses that place waste at the curb* for collection have two setout options:

1. If using a container with a secure lid, place waste at the curb one (1) hour before closing.
2. If putting bags directly on the curb, place waste out after 8 p.m.

*This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from loading docks or other off-street locations.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Law §106 contains new privileges for the sale of wine and liquor to-go by on-premises retail licensees.

First Course NYC is a 14-week culinary job training program designed to help meet industry demand for qualified entry-level restaurant cooks.

Answer questions to get a list of the City, State, and Federal licenses and permits you need for your business, as well as additional information that you may want to know.

Is your restaurant struggling to find staff?

Hospitality Hire is a no-cost recruitment resource to help meet the immediate staffing needs of restaurant businesses citywide.

Our Workforce1 Career Centers can tap our pool of 100,000+ candidates to identify qualified individuals to meet your Front-of-House and Back-of-House hiring needs by:

• Sourcing job seekers through its candidate databases, paid advertisements (at no cost to you) and through local partner organizations
• Recruiting and screening candidates based on your needs—and referring the most qualified to your restaurant
• Scheduling interviews

For more information or to view a webinar recording, please use the following links:

• Webinar presentation
• Webinar recording

Time is money. Save both with NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST)’s one-on-one help – for free! NYC BEST is your one-stop resource to working with City and State regulatory agencies and utilities, and services are available in multiple languages.

Connect with NYC BEST by visiting nyc.gov/NYCBEST or calling 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).

Access low to no-cost health insurance for your employees who do not qualify or cannot afford health insurance through NYC Care.

The NYS Restaurant Meal Program (RMP) allows some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households the option to purchase prepared meals at participating restaurants with their SNAP benefits using their EBT card. The program is currently limited to a few zip codes. Interested NYC restaurants are encouraged to complete an interest form to learn about next steps.

NYC's Open Streets program allows communities to embrace new public space and support small businesses. Open Streets prioritize pedestrians and cyclists by transforming streets into public space. This program allows for a range of activities and supports local businesses and schools.

Open Streets are coordinated in partnership with local community organizations. Public and private schools may also submit an application for Open Streets. All applications must be submitted by the school administration.

For questions about the Open Streets program, please contact DOT online.

On July 5, 2021, the mayor signed two bills expanding protections for fast food workers in New York City. Together, these bills protect fast food workers from being fired without "just cause" or for a bona fide economic reason.

Created by the NYC Department of Small Business Services in partnership with the NYC Hospitality Alliance, this guide outlines the signage you need to display in your restaurant or bar.

The NYC Restaurant Hiring, Onboarding and Training Playbook provides strategies and tools that any restaurant (or other foodservice business) operator can use to create a more supportive and productive experience for your new hires resulting in higher retention rates.

As of November 1, 2021, food service establishments (including, but not limited to, full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, grocery stores, vending trucks, or carts and cafeterias) in NYC are restricted from providing single-use plastic beverage straws, stirrers, and splash sticks to customers as follows:

• Providing single-use plastic beverage stirrers and splash sticks of any kind is prohibited.
• Providing non-compostable, single-use plastic beverage straws is prohibited except upon request.
  • For customers who request a non-compostable plastic straw, food service establishments are required to provide one free of charge, without inquiring about the reason for the request.
  • To refuse to provide a non-compostable plastic straw or to inquire about the reason for the request could constitute a violation of the NYC Human Rights Law.
  • Food service establishments will be required to stock non-compostable plastic straws to fulfill customer requests and must post signs advertising the straws’ availability at self-serve stations.
• Compostable beverage straws made of plastic may be given out upon request only for use on-premises, and only if the food service establishment properly separates and disposes of those straws through a commercial composting provider.

Food service establishments who violate the provisions of this bill will be liable for civil penalties.

Effective November 1, 2022, employers advertising jobs in NYC must include a salary range for every job, promotion, and transfer opportunity advertised.