As the world gears up to celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st, the dining landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Yelp, the renowned crowd-sourced review platform, has unveiled its list of the Top 100 Vegan Restaurants in the United States, showcasing a shift towards fresh, whole-food-focused eateries that prioritize sustainability and personal health.

Redefining the Vegan Dining Experience

Whole Foods Take Center Stage

The Yelp report highlights a significant trend among vegan restaurants – a move away from heavily processed meat and dairy alternatives towards a greater emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables, and minimally processed ingredients. This shift is driven by consumers' growing desire to improve their personal well-being and reduce their environmental impact."Sustainability and plant-based foods go hand-in-hand," explains Tara Lewis, Yelp's in-house trend expert. "Choosing to eat unprocessed foods is a mindful way for consumers to play their part in creating a more sustainable future."One shining example of this trend is Lil' Vegerie, a takeout restaurant in Redondo Beach, California, that took the top spot on Yelp's list. Committed to avoiding processed ingredients, Lil' Vegerie's menu showcases a dedication to whole-food-based dishes that nourish both the body and the planet.

Bowls and Smoothies Reign Supreme

The popularity of plant-based dining extends beyond just the main course. Yelp's data reveals that vegan restaurants are increasingly focusing on nutrient-dense bowls and smoothies as customer favorites.At Hey, Sunshine Kitchen in Culver City, California, the Mediterranean Chickpea Bowl with Sunshine Rice has become a top-selling menu item, praised by reviewers for its delicious and flavorful profile. Similarly, Boomchia, a smoothie bowl destination in Montclair, New Jersey, has captivated customers with its naturally sweetened acai and chia pudding bowls, topped with fresh fruit, ancient grains, and hemp seeds."Boomchia is a whole vibe," says the cafe's owner, Josh Baek. "We've created a space where people can eat healthy without missing out on the fun or flavor. Our customers come in for the same excitement you'd expect from eating dessert, but they walk out feeling great, knowing they've had a meal packed with nutrients."

The Rise of Vegan Dining

The growing popularity of vegan dining is not just a passing trend, but a reflection of a broader shift in consumer preferences. Yelp's annual food trend forecast has identified a 12% increase in searches for "vegan food" in 2023 compared to the previous year, indicating a growing demand for plant-based options."This data-driven approach allows us to uncover what users are loving and helps us predict what will continue to shape dining choices," says Lewis.As the world becomes more conscious of the environmental and health implications of our food choices, the vegan dining landscape is evolving to meet the needs of a discerning and eco-conscious consumer base. From whole-food-focused eateries to innovative bowl and smoothie concepts, the future of vegan dining promises to be both nourishing and sustainable.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is the latest federal appeals court to hear a challenge to the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) expansion of the remedies available for employees subjected to unfair labor practices. Starbucks, the coffee shop giant, has urged the court to reject an NLRB order requiring the company to rehire a barista fired allegedly due to her union support and pay her more than just back wages.

Starbucks Fights NLRB's Expanded Remedies, Raising Concerns over Statutory Authority

Questioning the NLRB's Authority to Order "Make-Whole Relief"

Starbucks is targeting the NLRB's 2022 decision in Thryv Inc. v. NLRB, which allowed the agency to order "make-whole relief" for those who suffered an unfair labor practice. This includes compensation for "all direct or foreseeable pecuniary harms," such as credit-card fees, mortgage charges, child-care bills, and medical expenses. Sixth Circuit Judge Chad Readler questioned the NLRB's authority under U.S. Supreme Court precedent to order such relief, stating that it "just feels like a major departure" from past practices.Employers have targeted the Thryv decision in other circuits as well. In an appeal to the ruling itself, the Fifth Circuit held in May that software and marketing services company Thryv did not violate labor law by failing to bargain in good faith when it laid off six employees. The Fifth Circuit vacated an NLRB order that required the company to reimburse the workers for medical expenses and credit-card fees, though the court did not answer whether the NLRB could impose such relief in the future.

Starbucks' Argument: NLRA Only Allows for Reinstatement and Back Pay

Starbucks, in its brief, argued that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) only allows the NLRB to order employers to cease and desist from violating the law and take "affirmative action" such as reinstatement or back pay. The agency, however, countered that the statute broadly allows "direct or foreseeable pecuniary harms" necessary to restore employees to the situation they were in prior to the unlawful conduct.The NLRB's attorney, Eric Weitz, pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 1983 ruling in Bill Johnson's Restaurants Inc. v. NLRB, which required a company to pay legal expenses incurred by an employee defending against a retaliatory lawsuit brought by the employer. Weitz argued that the Thryv decision is a "major change" because the NLRB is now including this type of relief as a standard part of its review, rather than on an ad hoc basis.

Starbucks' Constitutional Argument: Seventh Amendment Concerns

Starbucks also argued that only courts and juries can award compensatory damages to private parties under the Seventh Amendment. The company pointed to the Supreme Court's recent holding in SEC v. Jarkesy, which found the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's imposition of civil fraud penalties unconstitutional.Sarah Harris, Starbucks' attorney from Williams & Connolly, reiterated the company's position that the NLRA's reference to "affirmative action" only refers to equity, not compensatory damages. She argued that the Fifth Circuit's characterization of Thryv as permitting "novel, compensatory damages-like remedies" is a significant issue for the NLRB.In contrast, the NLRB argued that Congress enabled the agency to order make-whole relief to vindicate public rights, so the Seventh Amendment argument is invalid.

Judges Express Concerns and Seek Clarity on NLRB's Authority

During the Sixth Circuit hearing, Judge Jane Stranch seemed wary of Starbucks' position that Thryv conflicts with Supreme Court precedent. She noted that case law shows the NLRB has been granting make-whole remedies since the 1940s, questioning whether Starbucks' argument that this is a "wholly new" approach holds merit.Judge Alice Batchelder also sat on the Sixth Circuit panel, indicating the court's interest in thoroughly examining the issues surrounding the NLRB's expanded remedies and their potential impact on employers.As the Sixth Circuit considers Starbucks v. NLRB, No. 23-1767, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the NLRB's ability to provide comprehensive relief to employees who have been subjected to unfair labor practices.