1851

Last week, the attorney generals of 24 states <a href="https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Files/Briefing-Room/News-Releases/AG-Letter.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">sent a letter</a> to President Biden saying they will pursue “every available legal option” to prevent the White House’s proposed worker <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-will-bidens-vaccine-mandate-affect-franchises-2716629">vaccination mandate</a>. Biden’s vaccination mandate would require employers of any company employing at least 100 people to check that workers have either received the needed shots or tested negative within the prior week.Meanwhile, several major markets, including <a href="https://1851franchise.com/will-vaccinations-be-the-only-ticket-to-restaurants-in-the-future-2716363">New York City</a>, <a href="https://www.nola.gov/mayor/news/august-2021/mayor-cantrell-announces-new-vaccine-requirements-in-response-to-covid-surge/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Orleans</a>, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/honolulu-implements-proof-of-vaccination-requirement-restaurants-bars-businesses?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Honolulu</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-san-francisco-5c14633c32cac1150c98921dcabef4c8?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">San Francisco</a>, are rolling out inoculation requirements for dine-in customers. Just this week, the <a href="https://kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2021/September/16-proof-of-vaccination-negative-test.aspx?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seattle and King County</a> public health department issued an order that will require any customer looking to dine indoors to provide either proof of inoculation or negative results from a COVID-19 test taken in the prior 72 hours.&nbsp;Seattle’s order does not include requirements for restaurant employees, but the health department is encouraging the workers to voluntarily get the vaccine. ??Still, as the attorney generals of the 24 states argue, such inoculation policies could potentially slow down the restaurant industry’s post-pandemic recovery, particularly by driving more working Americans out of the job market, which is already seeing an <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t01.htm?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">all-time high quit rate</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-long-term-effects-of-the-restaurant-industrys-labor-shortage-we-arent-thinking-about-2716084">shortage of labor</a>.&nbsp;“At least some Americans will simply leave the job market instead of complying,” read a letter sent to the president by the 24 attorney generals. “This will strain an already-too-tight labor market, burdening companies and (therefore) threatening the jobs of even those who have received a vaccine.”Notably, Seattle’s measure does not require customers with proof of vaccination to also show identification, which could curb one possible point of friction between restaurant employees and potential guests. According to a <a href="https://onefairwage.site/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/OFW_WageShortage_F.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">One Fair Wage report</a>, 55% of restaurant workers were thinking of leaving their jobs because of the harassment they faced when asking diners to comply with safety protocols. Last week, a restaurant employee in <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/09/17/1038392877/new-york-tourists-attack-hostess-restaurant-vaccine?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York City</a> was attacked for asking for proof of vaccination.&nbsp;But consumer and employee sentiment around vaccine requirements isn’t so black-and-white. A <a href="https://datassential.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Datassential-Coronavirus55-07-27-21.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">July report</a> from Datassential found that nearly 30% of diners would leave a restaurant if asked to present proof of their vaccination status, while <a href="https://go.restaurant.org/SOImidyear.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">another study</a> from the National Restaurant Association showed 33% of consumers would actually be more likely to dine in a restaurant with a vaccine mandate. Similarly, some employees may be more inclined to return to work if they know they will only be interacting with vaccinated customers and staff.&nbsp;All of the pro-mandate jurisdictions point to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">rapid spread</a> of the delta variant of coronavirus — which is resulting in nearly 2,000 new deaths reported each day — as their primary reason for instituting dine-in restrictions. In March, before the vaccine was widely available, the CDC released <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7010e3.htm?s_cid=mm7010e3_w&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a study</a> that found illness and death rates from COVID-19 higher in jurisdictions that permitted on-site restaurant dining.&nbsp;The King County statement <a href="http://www.healthdata.org/special-analysis/predicted-impact-vaccine-mandates-king-county?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers-2716743" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">cited an analysis</a> by the University of Washington, which predicts the vaccine verification policy at restaurants and other establishments could prevent “between 17,900 and 75,900 infections, 421 and 1,760 hospitalizations, and 63 and 257 deaths locally over six months.”"We are at a critical point in this pandemic, with high levels of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and no certainty as to what will follow the Delta variant,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement. “Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus.”While few would argue that vaccinations protect from infection, it is clear that not everyone agrees mandates are the best option for the restaurant industry.

States Conflicted Over Vaccine Mandates for Restaurant Workers and Customers

1851 Franchise

As some states push back on President Biden’s national vaccine mandate, other markets are moving ahead with inoculation requirements for dine-in customers.

states-conflicted-over-vaccine-mandates-for-restaurant-workers-and-customers

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

States Conflicted Over Vaccine Mandates for Restaurant Workers and Customers

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS