What's with the Pineapple‪?‬ Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association

The world’s first-ever CVB, Visit Detroit, is reporting into the game and joining today’s episode to talk about the NFL Draft coming to town in just a few weeks. As the city prepares for hundreds of thousands of visitors and a tourism-funded boost to Michigan’s economy, Claude and Chris are here for the assist to discuss what operators can expect, how they can best prepare, and how a touchdown success sets the stage for more largescale events to come to town. Did someone say NBA All Star Game? Well, Justin did and he’s laser focused on making that happen. In a new tradition enjoyed pretty much exclusively by the hosts, Justin and Emily talk national day-of holidays (vegan corndogs, anyone?), throw shade at Ohio (technically the moon is throwing the shade), swipe left on MasterCard and Visa temporary swipe fee reduction, and set an ominous tone for the preparation on what’s to come for Michigan’s tip credit. Listeners are finally getting what they’ve been demanding too: a full review of the Starbucks Oleato coffee.  Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/. (https://fsbrlaw.com/)

There’s a lot to celebrate on this episode: Women’s History Month, Pi(e) Day, National Potato Chip Day, Producer Joe being back for the first time this year… and he’s engaged! Justin and Emily also celebrate International Women’s Day by welcoming Katy McBrady, President of Atwater Brewery, to discuss the second annual limited time launch of Ping Gang IPA which is a woman-powered brew crafted to celebrate the hard-working women in Michigan. The three also talk about how Katy’s career brought her back to Michigan from Southern California, her insight on the next generation of drinkers and the perfect Double IPA to have in hand. After discovering differences in chip and pie preferences, the hosts talk non-alcoholic drink trends in Detroit, Zoup’s rebrand, the new Independent Contractor Rule and Joint-Employer updates.Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/. (https://fsbrlaw.com/)

This episode hits different… as Justin and Emily assume the kids of today would say. Brad Keen, Chief Operating Officer of Boyne Resorts, joins the call today to talk about his career climb from line cook internship at Boyne Highlands to his role today overseeing five full-service, four-season resorts. The three reminisce on the pathway to merging lodging into the association and Brad’s leadership in his two orbits through the executive track at the MRLA to serve as Chair in 2013 and 2017. Brad shares his insights on the impacts of Pure Michigan, his approach to retaining a strong workforce and even the magic (read: science) behind snowmaking. Before hitting the slopes, Emily tries to convince Justin that Leap Day should get more attention, the two do a deep dive analysis of the National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Report, and update listeners on new H2B Visa proposals and how to take the Pure Michigan Pledge.Download NRA’s State of the Industry Report: https://bit.ly/3OZVNeX (https://bit.ly/3OZVNeX)Take the Pure Michigan Pledge: themichiganalliance.org/pledge (http://themichiganalliance.org/pledge)Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/. (https://fsbrlaw.com/)

We’re back with a vengeance in today’s episode after our brief stint on Zoom. We kick off the show with an overview of the newly-formed Michigan Hospitality & Tourism Alliance (https://www.themichiganalliance.org/) assembling 11 of the state’s leading advocates for our industry to share a unified voice. The first all-call: $50 million for Pure Michigan funding. Your hosts also deep dive into the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (HR 7024) (https://p2a.co/yG1wf9r?) and the state of the industry reports from our national partner associations, the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, outlining themes of growth, competition, shifts in consumer behavior and more. We know you’ve been wondering Starbucks’ olive oil-infused coffee since it was mentioned a year ago and we have that update for you! HR complaints are filed due to not getting Team MRLA into Miles Teller's recent visit to Crunchy's in East Lansing and we explore AHC Hospitality's expansion into the vibrant Muskegon market. All of that before welcoming industry titan Jeff Lobdell to delve into his remarkable journey from a bagel bakery and coffee shop to owning over 20 restaurants and 2 hotels. Jeff shares his vision for the National Restaurant Association as the newly elected Chairman for 2024, insights on fostering industry unity, and his passion for advocating for both his communities and fellow restaurant owners. Make yourself Jeff’s favorite cocktail, sit back and tune in! Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/ (https://fsbrlaw.com/).Black Manhattan2 ounces of Old Forester Rye Whiskey1 dash of Angostura bitters1 ounce Punt e Mes vermouthOrange peel garnish 

To kick off the new year, Justin is carrying today’s episode just like the Detroit Lions are carrying Michigan (hopefully) to the Big Game as Emily calls in remotely from the ice storm. But nothing – not even awkward streaming lags – will stop them from getting a new episode to listeners! Main topics of discussion include restoring the roar at Ford Field and beyond as the hospitality industry benefits from a successful football season, population growth or lack thereof (again), Burger King franchisees not having it their way and more. The hosts also welcome back Franklin Coley of Align Public Strategies, a return guest all the way from the beginning, to talk about the what’s the horizon for 2024 with regulations, rules and other policy issues. Franklin breaks down labor organizing, tip credit elimination impacts, industry standards boards and beyond with a view from the national scope. What’s your new year’s resolution? Ours is more dad-jokes. Check out Align Public Strategies podcast, Working Lunch, at https://alignpublicstrategies.com/working-lunch-podcast/ (https://alignpublicstrategies.com/working-lunch-podcast/). Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/ (https://fsbrlaw.com/).

That’s a wrap on What’s with the Pineapple… well, just for 2023. We could never abandon our listeners. The 2023 Wrapped edition episode is inspired by Spotify even though Justin has cut off his premium subscription and sparked some serious internal debate. Producer Joe is also in the house, er, studio for the first time since Justin and Emily built out their own space in the office and he’s adding his own commentary as the three reflect on the year’s most interesting stories, the biggest headlines, favorites and trends. From saving the tip credit, to Taylor Swift, cocktails-to-go, The Bear and everything in between it was quite the year for Michigan hospitality. The three also cover the typical segments with debates over gift cards, if Emily will really drive to CosMc’s during the holiday rush, what’s going on with FTC’s service fee rules and the Pistons breaking records in all the wrong ways. Happy holidays – see you in 2024!