Episode 295: Lawmakers Get The Message: The Public Loves Alcohol-to-Go

A new report is out this week examining consumer trends with regard to alcohol, especially wine and cocktails to go. Since the public has overwhelmingly embraced these pandemic-era advances, can any policy makers really stand in the way at this point? Mike Whatley, Vice President of State Affairs & Grassroots Advocacy for the National Restaurant Association who issued the report, joins us and will take us through the data. And New Jersey is looking at franchisee bill of rights legislation for the hotel sector that could significantly disrupt the relationship between hotel brands and many of their operators. Could additional legislation aimed at the restaurant industry be far behind? Sarah Bratko, Policy Counsel for Government Affairs & State Relations at the American Hotel & Lodging Association will join us and help us understand what’s happening in the Garden State. We’ll discuss those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.