While the Golden State always seems to be in some level of crazy, it appears that major metros in southern California have gone off the deep end. Los Angeles is considering a $30/hr minimum wage for hospitality workers in the city, $29.50 down the road in Long Beach, and $25/hr on the docket for San Diego. What in the world is going on out there? We’ll take a look. And a major compromise in Washington DC with the repeal of Initiative 82, being replaced by a 25% tip credit by 2034. DC restaurants...
Aug 04, 2025•35 min
The big beautiful bill may be big and it may be beautiful but it is far from perfect. Lots of errors and missteps are becoming clearer and one big one may significantly impact corporate charitable contributions and in the restaurant industry, food donation is at the top of the list. We talk to Jim Larson, the Vice President of Development for Food Donation Connection - a major industry partner - to discuss the potential impacts the changing tax law may have on one of our industry’s largest chari...
Jul 21, 2025•57 min
The Fourth of July period is usually a pretty sleepy time in the public policy world but this year was anything but. Big beautiful bills, escalating fights over alcohol and sugary beverages and ICE becoming the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the country were just a few of the stories percolating while most of us were at backyard barbecues. We’ll discuss what happened while we were all watching fireworks. Walmart and Amazon made headlines recently as they consider issuing their own stab...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The Administration keeps changing its mind on immigration enforcement and ICE raids. How should restaurant operators view all this and what should they be prepared for? We’ll discuss. And the President was asked about recent legislation introduced by a Republican senator to increase the minimum wage to $15/hr. He was caught off-guard and didn’t offer an opinion, but unlike his Republican predecessors, he didn’t rule it out. We’ll discuss if there’s any “there” there. We’ll talk about those issue...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min
Say it ain’t so! A conservative Republican senator - Josh Hawley from Missouri - has teamed up with a liberal senator from Vermont to introduce legislation to increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hr. While the bill may or may not get traction, the bigger issue is the changing relationship that Republicans are forging with organized labor and working class voters. We’ll take a look. And we are joined by Kelsey Streufert with the Texas Restaurant Association to talk about their recently-adjour...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 25 min
We visit once again with Maggie Gentile, a partner at Food Directions and our industry’s resident expert on food policy, who stopped by the pod to talk about last week’s MAHA Commission report - what’s in it, what wasn’t in it, what comes next, and lastly, what it means to operators. And the industry had a big week on both coasts with regard to minimum wage. We’ll talk about the effort underway in Washington, DC taht paused and may fully repeal the voter-passed ballot initiative to eliminate the...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 10 min
We talk once again to Aaron Frazier, the Vice-President of Public Policy for the National Restaurant Association to get the lastest on the status of the President’s “big, beautiful” tax bill and what the industry can expect out of the current package on the table. We’ll also chat about tariffs and the MAHA Commission report coming later this week. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
May 23, 2025•47 min
A new MAGA-focused trade association is taking shape offering enhanced access to Trump Admiistration officials and to the President himself. The new group is forming at a time when the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have encountered some significant friction with the Trump White House. Is this a potential threat or opportunioty for brands and their traditional trade associations? We’ll discuss. And a bipartisan working group in Congress has introduced legislation dramatical...
May 09, 2025•38 min
We sit down with Aaron Frazier, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Restaurant Association, to discuss the pending tax bill, reconciliation, and what operators should expect at the end of the process. And Republicans across the country seem to be taking aim at voter-passed initiatives on minimum wage and paid leave among other issues. The problem is that despite large majorities in Florida, Missouri and Nebraska, they have been stymied. We’ll discuss why that is happening and if Repu...
Apr 27, 2025•51 min
Despite a terrible winning record the last few years, One Fair Wage seems to be making a stand in one of the last few big blue states, this time New Jersey. Is it their swan song or the beginning of a comeback? We’ll discuss. And then we’ll talk about tariffs and the 90- day window of breathing space the Administration gave us. Is it a given that the small guys are the most vulnerable or do the big ones have unique exposures themselves? We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap i...
Apr 22, 2025•35 min
It looks like the MAHA train has pulled into Baton Rouge and offloaded one of the most expansive food policy reform bills we have seen to date. The legislation covers ingredients, oils, sugary beverages and even SNAP eligibility and appears to be a huge priority of the governor. We’ll unpack what it means not only in Louisiana but elsewhere across the country. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Apr 14, 2025•37 min
Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. This week the President laid out some of the most aggressive tariff policies in recent American history causing instability in corporate boardrooms, workforces, world markets and with our trading partners themselves. But how should industry leaders look at this? Well, to answer that question, we sat down with one. We had a conversation with Fat Brands Founder and Chairman Andy Wiederhorn who walked us through the challenges that these tariff policies are creating for t...
Apr 05, 2025•51 min
We’ll take a stab at answering a question that likely has never been asked before - namely what do California and West Virginia have in common? The answer: They have both enacted strict laws regarding food additives, dyes and preservatives. But while California’s laws were largely targeted at kids and school meals, West Virginia has taken aim at all products produced or sold in the state making them officially the first state to enact RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again aagenda. We are joined o...
Mar 31, 2025•46 min
We sit down with the Independant Restaurant Coalition’s Erika Polmer and Robert St. John to get a status report on the organization, the role it’s playing in the industry and their agenda for 2025. And Gywnne Wilcox is back on the job at the NLRB bit with a huge asterisk hanging over her head. We’ll take a look at that. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 7 min
We’re going to talk swipe fees with the NRA’s Brennan Duckett to update you on the status of the industry’s national effort to push back on the Visa and Mastercard payments duopoly that is bleeding restaurant owners dry. And then we’ll take a look at a national boycott of Target, Amazon and Walmart over their DEI practices and discuss whether they are an effective tool and should restaurant brands be nervous? We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 7 min
The Independent restaurant Coalition has remade its Board Leadership and is looking to reingage in conversations Important to the industry. Is this a help or a hindrance to the industry’s national issue agenda? We’ll take a look. And this week the President released a target list - his words - of companies that his administration will be going after over their DEI-related policies and a couple of major restaurant and supplier brands ended up on that list. We’ll assess the landscape for those com...
Feb 22, 2025•42 min
We sat down with Davis Bae, the Managing Partner of the Seattle Office of Fisher & Phillips to talk about the immigration issue and how operators need to prepare for the foreseeable future. Is this a passing fad or the new normal? We’ll discuss. And we take a few minutes to discuss a future business model that includes cloud kitchens and what Travis Kalanick of Uber fame is up to in that area. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Feb 16, 2025•58 min
We sat down with Jonathan Gold, the Vice President of Supply Chain & Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation to talk about the President’s tariffs policy and its impact on the industry and the broader economy going forward. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Feb 10, 2025•45 min
In an unprecedented move, President Trump fired two members of the National Labor Relations Board as well as the General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo. While removing the GC is permissible, the removal of Board members without cause is legally tenuous at best and most likely not legal at all. We take a look. And the no taxes on tips conversation is raging at the state level with a number of states tackling the issue. Is this good news or another challenge for the industry to navigate? We’ll do a dee...
Feb 02, 2025•52 min
Well it was a rock’em sock’em first week for the Trump Administration as countless executive orders, pardons and personnel changes have been executed in only the first four days. At the forefront of all this is the White House’s determination to begin large-scale immigration raids any day now. We’ll take a look at this fundamental threat to the industries’ workforce, what may happen over the next days and weeks and what operators large and small should prepare for. And there are new sheriffs in ...
Jan 26, 2025•59 min
The portable benefits issue is back in the news as DoorDash strikes another agreement - this time with the state of Georgia - to pilot a portable benefits program for its drivers. There is growing consensus within liberal and conservative circles that portable benefits regumes are here to stay and a plausible solution for millions of gig economy workers without traditional benefits. We’ll discuss where the issue is going and whether the restaurant industry will meaningfully engage. Starbucks and...
Jan 20, 2025•48 min
After a nearly 20-year separation, the SEIU and the AFL-CIO have kissed and made and now are back on the same team, joining forces just before a potentially union-hostile administration takes office. We’ll discuss the volatile history of the two organizations, why they reunited, and what it could mean for the industry. And this week, the U.S. Surgeon General called for expanded warning labels on alcohol, alerting consumers to the possible carcinogenic effects of drinking. Should the industry be ...
Jan 12, 2025•49 min
Starbucks is back in the news this week as their Workers United union has voted to authorize a national strike at any moment. What’s going on behind the scenes? Is this a bargaining ploy as both slides sit down at the negotiating table this week or is it for real? We’ll discuss. And we are joined by Maggie Gentile, a partner at Food Directions and a consultant to the National Restaurant Association to discuss the impact that the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda being led by Robert Kenned...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min
It was a tough week for the National Labor Relations Board with the Senate failing to confirm Pres. Biden’s nominations to the Board. This clears the decks for the incoming Trump Admnistration to remake the Board much quicker than anticipated. And just down the street, the agency lost a major court battle that could dramatically alter the roles - and tenure - of Administrative Law Judges. We’ll discuss. And we are joined by Mike Whatley, the Vice President of State Affairs and Grassroots Advocac...
Dec 14, 2024•46 min
We have a conversation with Greg Astley, Director of Government Affairs for the Oregon Restaurant Association, about Oregan Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and his team’s working relationship with the new Cabinet member. What has been her record in Congress? What are her priorities? And what’s her relationship with the Teamsters? We’ll get the view from back home in Oregon. And then we’ll talk about another major employer, Walmart, joining the growing group of companies pivoting on their DEI policies. ...
Dec 09, 2024•40 min
In yet another surprise appointment, President-Elect Trump has nominated an outgoing member of Congress, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, to run the Labor Department. Ironically, she is one of a small handful of Republicans to vote for the PRO Act, organized labor’s signature piece of legislation in years. To say the least, the nomination is causing significant consternation in the business community. We’ll take a deep dive into that. And Waffle House filed a lawsuit against the National Labo...
Nov 26, 2024•50 min
The President-elect has been shocking allies and foes alike with his nominations for cabinet posts. While some will have more impact on the industry than others, the nomination of Robert F Kennedy, Jr will likely cause shock waves up and down the food supply as he goes after processed food, sodium, sugar and other additives. It’s going to be a wild ride. And we are joined by David King, the Guidance and Outreach Director for the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to ...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 5 min
It’s finally over. In a surprise for most, Republicans have a huge night sweeping Donald Trump back into the White House. We’ll discuss what happened this week both at the federal level as well as in the states and take a look at what the industry can expect going forward. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Nov 08, 2024•27 min
Well, the election is finally here and it can’t come fast enough. While we don’t know the outcome yet, we do know that it will be razor-close and legally contested. To help us sort it out, we’re joined by our good friend Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Policy for the National Restaurant Assocation, who will help us get it all sorted out. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.
Nov 01, 2024•43 min
McDonald’s was all over the news this week for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was a visit to a Pennsylvania restaurant by none other than The Donald himself. Besides his work at the fry station and his voluminous lunch order, what was the key takeaway politically from his visit, both for himself and for the industry? We’ll discuss. And the Gallup organization released survey data regarding American attitudes toward taxes, tax fairness and tax reform. While results were all over the...
Oct 25, 2024•34 min
