The Working Lunch

The industry got an unprecedented win in Colorado over the banking and credit card lobby with passage of legislation to prohibit interchange fees on sales taxes and tips. The bill is now on the governor's desk but its future is uncertain. If signed, could the momentum in this long-running battle have finally shifted? We’ll take a look. And the city of Chicago does a remarkable backtrack on its law eliminating the tip credit putting a two year freeze on further implementation. We’ll discuss how and why this happened and what impact it may have on the broader issue in other jurisdictions. And redistricting is at a fever pitch across the states as the US Supreme Court has effectively gutted the Voting Rights Act. What impact will this have in 2026 and beyond. We’ll discuss. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

Steak n’ Shake, never shy when it comes professing their admiration of the Trump Administration, upped the ante last week when it appointed a new Chief Make America Healthy Again Officer. We’ll discuss the political and policy impacts that this may have for other large brands as well as the industry itself. And the tough economy has emboldened the restaurant industry to enter into legislative frays that previously might have been seen as politically dangerous. But tough times call for tough measures and a new industry coalition is taking on the Administration on immigration as well as looking to lower - yes, lower - server wages in Denver. We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

To showcase his no tax on tips victory, President Trump leveraged Tax Day to have a “DoorDash Grandma” deliver McDonald’s right to the door of the Oval Office. Shamelessly staged event? Of course. Perfectly executed? Of course. We’ll discuss his ongoing infatuation with The Clown and his efforts to woo working class voters. And Ed Egee from the National Retail Federation stops by to discuss the legislative responses being floated by progressives to combat the "affordability gap” - namely Fair Share health proposals returning to the forefront. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

Over the last week, RFK, Jr. and his MAHA movement have been all over the headlines. From his national road shows to his new attack on microplastics to his new podcast, he has become a one-man news cycle. We’ll discuss how the industry should be viewing these developments and hopefully getting ahead of these issues. And we’re only six months away from the mid-term elections so we’ll do a deep dive on the current political environment and try to forecast as best we can how things might shake out in November. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

We sit down once again with the team from Washburn Consulting, advisors to many key industry brands and associations, and get an update on the state of play with regard to Extended Producer Responsibility. Michael Washburn and Chloe Kapanen will stop by to discuss new proposals in state capitols, ongoing rulemaking and compliance challenges throughout the states and even chat about pending litigation. And the NLRB surprised many observers this week by siding with the Amazon Workers Union and their Teamster sidekicks and ordering - yes ordering - the company to the bargaining table. Maybe the Melania movie didn’t get enough traction. We’ll discuss the interesting politics in play. And many in the industry are nervous about Sysco Foods and their acquisition of Restaurant Depot. We’ll talk about potential market shares, increased leverage over operators and whether the Federal Trade Commission should step in. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

There is a potential supply chain disruption looming for operators caused by a work stoppage at one of the largest beef processing plants in the country. We are joined by Phil Wilson, the CEO of the Labor Relations Institute, to help us understand not only what’s going on at the JB Swift plant in Greeley, Colorado but the overall union organizing environment relative to the restaurant industry. And One Fair Wage continues to lose battle after battle across the country and have set their sights on other issues outside of the industry. Are they done? Reevaluating? Or just waiting for a better environment for them? We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. took aim at two prominent restaurant brands last week – namely Dunkin and Starbucks - over the amount of sugar in some of their drink offerings. Recently he escalated a conversation over ultra-processed foods. Now it's over sugar. Who or what will be his target next time? We’ll take a look And what comes around, goes around. Fair Share healthcare legislation, largely dormant for a decade, has reared its head in Washington, California, Oregon and Colorado. Is this an anomaly or are we looking at the next big battle? We’ll discuss. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The President delivered his State of The Union Address this week and outside of the predictable antics, was there anything substantive in there for restaurant operators? We’ll take a look And Washington state has rolled out a golden oldie, taking another run at “Fair Share” health legislation which is another way of saying per employee head tax. We’ll dive into what’s going with that bill and the potential for copycats in other states. And the streets of Minneapolis are much calmer now but has the local pushback on ICE abated as well? We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The industry had two big wins this week in the courtroom on two different major issues facing the industry. In Illinois, a federal judge ruled that with regard to swipe fees, not only are Visa & Mastercard not protected by federal preemption, neither are the banks as well. This clears the ways for continued state level efforts by the industry to reign in out of control swipe fees. We’ll discuss. And a federal judge in Oregon ruled that the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility regime likely violates numerous provisions of the U.S. Constitution and calls into question the validity of the law as well as those in the other six states with similar programs. Could this be the end of EPR as we know it? We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The MAHA movement continues to grow and with it, so does the potential threat to the industry. Last week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. blamed the tobacco companies for getting kids addicted to ultra-processed food. You heard that right. Food. In the ‘90s, many tobacco companies diversified after the big tobacco settlement and bought up controlling interests in many other industries, including food companies. Some of that ownership still remains. Are some of our key menu offerings about to be viewed in the same light as tobacco? We’ll discuss. And we will update you on the latest developments in Minneapolis and how many restaurants and employees may be intentionally entering the fray. We’ll talk about that issue and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The situation in Minneapolis has taken a sharp turn for the worse and business owners, their customers, and perhaps most importantly, their employees are right in the middle of it. We’ll discuss the challenges operators are having in navigating this space and protecting their interests while avoiding the politics. We’ll talk about that issue and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The Disruptor in Chief has struck again - this time completely rearranging the proverbial furniture regarding the decades-long war between retailers and the banks over swipe fees. This week, the President endorsed the Credit Card Competition Act cutting the knees out of the credit card companies as part of his ongoing battle against the banking industry. How will this change the game? We’ll take a look at where we go from here. It was a busy week for the Industry on Capitol Hill this week as a number of Labor- related bills were poised for passage on the House floor - right up until they weren’t. Legislation on overtime expansion, on-the-job training, and joint employer hit a bit of a snag. We’ll talk with Matt Haller, the CEO of the International Franchise Association to help us sort it out and better understand the path forward on these important legislative proposals. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The Department of Agriculture released a new set of dietary guidelines championing protein and healthy fats while minimizing grains. The new recommendations essentially turn the old food pyramid upside down, encouraging Americans to eat whole foods like fruits and vegetables, to incorporate healthy fats, to prioritize protein-rich meals including red meat and to consume full-fat dairy and whole grains with no added sugars. So how will consumers view these guidelines and more importantly, what impact will this have on the restaurants they patronize. We are joined one again by our resident expert on all things food, Maggie Gentile, a partner at Food Directions and a consultant to the National Restaurant Association, to help us sort out what all this means to the way we eat and also, to where we eat.And 2026 is an election year and there are 36  - count them 36 - governor’s races at stake. We’ll take a look at the political landscape and discuss which races may have the most impact on the industry.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

We take a look at the key issue and reputational threats the industry faced in 2025 and discuss what the current state of play is and most importantly, what we should expect in 2026. Take a listen.

In a historic first, San Francisco's city attorney has filed a lawsuit against some of the largest U.S. manufacturers of ultra-processed foods that he says have made Americans sick. Chiu argued the foods have created a health care crisis that has led to serious chronic diseases, which ultimately places a burden on U.S. cities. Chiu claimed the companies have copied the "addiction science and marketing techniques that filled the big tobacco playbook. Is this a harbinger of other lawsuits to come? We’ll take a look.And One Fair Wage unveiled new polling on Capitol Hill this week showing broad voter support for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $25/hr, underscoring how affordability and wage concerns are poised to shape the 2026 election cycle. We will dig into that as well.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

Well, it’s official - the last penny has come off the assembly line and has been assigned to the dustbin of history. But what about the millions of pennies still in circulation? How should consumers and operators alike be viewing this space? Is the nickel next? We’re joined by Sean Kennedy, EVP of Public Policy for the National Restaurant Association to help us sort it out and manage the expectations of operators going forward.And we have a special edition of the legislative scorecard with Mike Whatley of the National Restaurant Association as our guest host this week.

We are joined by Mike Whatley, Vice President of State Affairs & Grassroots Advocacy at the National Restaurant Association to analyze this week’s election results, what they mean for the industry, and what they mean for next year’s legislative agenda.And Big Food is in the news this week as a new coalition has been organized to push back against-state level MAHA copycat legislation and push the federal government for preemption over ingredient laws for manufacturers.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

Robby Starbuck - yes the very same Robby Starbuck that goes after corporate DEI programs -  is on the agenda this week at the Society of Human Resource Management’s big pow wow in Louisville and numerous corporate HR execs are boycotting the meeting all together. Is this an acquiescing to the MAGA universe or an opportunity for HR professionals to get it all out in the open. We’ll discuss. And this week, New Mexico will become the first state in the country to offer free universal child care. Will this impact the ability for new parents, particularly women to either stay or re-enter the workforce and reverse significant COVID-era losses? We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

Local residents and small business owners have begun pushing back on the Administration’s crackdowns on major American metros. This week, restaurant owners in Chicago began posting signs announcing that ICE agents were not welcome to dine in their eateries. We discuss the pros and cons of those actions and the likelihood that the industry could once again become a political football.And One Fair Wage has entered the political fray, officially establishing a political action committee to advance candidates endorsing high minimum wages and tip credit elimination. We’ll discuss what this means for local politics in big cities and for the industry.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

With the backdrop of the New York City mayor’s race, a great deal of attention has been paid to the rise of the socialist movement, especially with young Gen Z voters. While this group continues to take an increasingly dim view of capitalism, similar sentiments are growing on the far right as well. With both sides more open to government intervention, how strong is our continued committment to free markets?We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The CEO of Steak & Shake personally goes after the CEO of Cracker Barrel by taking out a billboard in downtown Nashville calling for her firing. Sour grapes over a takeover bid gone awry or another effort seeking a pat on the head from the White House? Or maybe both. We’ll discuss.And the ramifications of the Charlie Kirk situation have made their way into the restaurant world with numerous brands being pulled into the mix by employees and/or customers voicing their opinions on social media. How do brands stay out of the morass? We’ll take a look.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

The industry was active on Capitol Hill the week as industry leaders at IFA & NRA helped usher in new legislation to bring some much-needed certainty to the laws around joint employers. We are joined by our good friend Michael Layman, Chief Advocacy Officer at the International Franchise Association, to bring us up to speed on the new bill and what operators should expect going forward.And the Governor of Texas put out an Executive Order this week laying out new regulations around the sales of hemp-based beverages. Is the industry going to get into the cvonversation on these products or let retailers and manufacturers box usa in - Again.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

McDonalds has taken their Happy Meal marbles and gone home. We do a deep dive on why McDonald’s parted ways with our industry’s premier association and assess their grievances,opine on their announcement rollout, and speculate on what it means for both them and the industry going forward.

Cracker Barrel folded like a checkered tablecloth in the face of right-wing backlash over their logo change. Uncle Herschel is safely back in his rocking chair on the porch but is it over? And who’s next? We’ll take apart this whole saga and discuss what other brands can learn from what happened in the blink of an eye to an iconic American brand.And who’s up for some flying burritos? Chipotle struck a deal with a leading drone company to enhance its delivery options. Is this the future, Benjamin? We’ll take a look.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

We take a look at the evolving issue of Extended Producer Responsibility and the likelihood that restaurants will be playing an increasingly active role in the recycling system. Seven states have passed some type of EPR law and the first few are starting to take effect. We are joined by Michael Washburn and Chloe Kapanen from the Washburn Consulting Group who are helping to guide the industry on how we manage through the multitude of complaince challenges these laws are presenting, what new laws are potentially coming down the pike, and how companies should be preparing.And after a short summer break, we’re back with a rather lengthy legislative scorecard.

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 are breathing a sigh of relief while One Fair Wage is raising havoc. We’ll kick around what’s happening in the nation’s capital.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 charitable endeavors.And the MAHA train keeps rolling down the tracks with major developments around Coca-Cola, the ice cream industry, and newly-approved additives by the FDA. We’ll discuss.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 stablecoins in an effort to better serve their customers but also decrease their dependence on the traditional credit card payment systems run by Vias and Mastercard. Dan Swanson, one of the key architects of our industry’s campaign to reign in the Visa/Mastercard duopoly, stops by the pod to talk about these developments and what impact they may have on the payments landscape going forward.We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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-adjourned session and the remarkable progress they made on streamlining local permitting and fee processes as well as pushing back against the credit card duopoly that runs our payment systems. And then we talk with Amanda Stone from the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association to discuss this week’s election resultsand what a new governor and legislative mix mean for the state and the industry. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 tip credit as well as a new campaign in Los Angeles to roll back the city’s new $30/hr minimum wage law for hospitality workers. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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.

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 dramatically altering the playing field with regard to paid leave. Is the idea of a traditional, government-run paid leave program funded by payroll taxes a relic of the past? We’ll take a look. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 Republicans are ultimately pivoting on key business model issues. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 it up with the legislative scorecard.

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.

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 their business model, their supply chain, their growth plans, and their relationship with current or prospective franchisees. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 once again by Maggie Gentile, a partner at Food Directions and a consultant to the National Restaurant Association to help us sort it out, what it means in the short term for suppliers and restaurants, and what else may be coming down the pike. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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.

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.

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 companies and the broader industry going forward. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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.

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.

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 deep dive on that. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 town at two agency’s important to all employers - the National Labor Relations Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We’ll go over what to expect and why it matters. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 their public bathroom policy is back in the news as they reverse their policy implemented by Howard Schultz in response to the PR debacle in a Philadelphia restaurant in 2018. Is Starbucks really protecting their employees or bending to the political winds? We would argue that they’re doing both. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 worried either now or in the future? We’ll discuss. And McDonald’s got in line with other major American companies and walked back many of their DEI initiatives and hiring goals. We take a look at why this might be an increasingly complicated conversation for the industry going forward. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 Kennedy, Jr. will have on the industry. Maggie’s going to tell us what the food policy landscape will look like in 2025 and what operators should be paying attention to. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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 Advocacy at the National Restaurant Association to discuss some issues currently percolating, look back at 2024 and look ahead to 2025. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.

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. We’ll talk about those issues and wrap it up with the legislative scorecard.