Working Lunch

Working Lunch is a podcast from Align Public Strategies devoted to explaining the so what and now what about key issues impacting the restaurant and retail industries.

Operations

It's official: Bernie Sanders v. Howard Schultz

By Restaurant Business Staff on Mar. 10, 2023

Working Lunch: The podcast, from Align Public Strategies, features a discussion on the upcoming testimony by Starbucks’ interim CEO in front of Sanders’ U.S. Senate committee.

Leadership

Bernie Sanders has a hot seat waiting for Starbucks' Howard Schultz

By Restaurant Business Staff on Mar. 06, 2023

Working Lunch: Sanders may indeed be able to compel a Senate appearance by the outgoing chain CEO, but that's just one of the issues that Starbucks faced in the last week or so.

Workforce

Are Starbucks and Howard Schultz really not to blame for the chain's unionization?

By Restaurant Business Staff on Feb. 24, 2023

Working Lunch: The CEO is quick to shift responsibility to societal trends. So why is the brand making so many operational changes?

Workforce

Does the IRS have another reason for suggesting tip-reporting changes?

By Restaurant Business Staff on Feb. 17, 2023

Working Lunch: "I see the fine hand of the anti-tipping lobby at play here," says co-host Joe Kefauver.

Workforce

Congress' close eye on restaurants has some politicos worried

By Restaurant Business Staff on Feb. 13, 2023

Working Lunch: The industry is under attack in the political arena, with battles forming on a host of fronts.

Workforce

The Fast Act is already rippling beyond fast food

By Peter Romeo on Feb. 03, 2023

Working Lunch: Proposals in Massachusetts and Virginia are proof the wage-setting model called for by California's first-of-its-kind law is spreading geographically and across job types.

Operations

Why ServSafe is under attack in the court of public opinion

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jan. 24, 2023

Working Lunch: The recent New York Times story was a hit piece. There was so much more that should have been in it.

Financing

Sean Kennedy on California’s Fast Act

By Restaurant Business Staff on Jan. 13, 2023

Working Lunch: The EVP of public policy for the National Restaurant Association joins the podcast to discuss the legal situation with the controversial law.

Workforce