The Working Lunch

Align Public Strategies
  • 4.5 (27)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

This weekly podcast comes from Align Public Strategies, a full-service public affairs and creative firm that helps corporate brands, governments and nonprofits navigate the outside world and inform their internal decision-making. #WorkingLunch #Align

  1. OCT 28

    Episode 386: Universal Child Care Has Arrived! What Impact Could It Have On Reversing COVID-era Workforce Losses

    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.

    42 min

  2. OCT 21

    Episode 385: One Fair Wage Enters The Political Fray & Establishes a Super PAC

    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.

    42 min

  3. OCT 8

    Episode 384: Is The New York City Mayor’s Race Reviving Socialism In America?

    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.

    44 min

  4. SEP 23

    Episode 382: One Industry CEO Publicly Attacks Another Industry CEO. Is This An Anomaly Or The New Norm?

    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.

    56 min

  5. SEP 16

    Episode 381: American Franchise Act Introduced To Codify Joint Employer

    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.

    59 min

  6. SEP 5

    Episode 380: McDonald’s Leaves NRA Due To Association’s Support Of No Tax On Tips, Tip Credit

    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.

    48 min

  7. SEP 4

    Episode 379: The Cracker Barrel Beatdown: A Cautionary Tale?

    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.

    48 min

  8. AUG 25

    Episode 378: Restaurateur or Recyclers? Operators Facing Increasing Responsibility For The Waste Produced In Their Businesses.

    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.

    1h 16m
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4.5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This weekly podcast comes from Align Public Strategies, a full-service public affairs and creative firm that helps corporate brands, governments and nonprofits navigate the outside world and inform their internal decision-making. #WorkingLunch #Align

Information

  • Creator
    Align Public Strategies
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    382
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Align Public Strategies
  • Show Website
    The Working Lunch

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