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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.

Consumer Trends

What restaurateurs can learn from the culture wars—including how to stay clear

 By Peter Romeo on May 01, 2023

Working Lunch: The Bud Light and Disney controversies show how businesses can be sucked in.

Operations

Last week's kitchen ruling affects more than Berkeley restaurants

 By Peter Romeo on Apr. 24, 2023

Working Lunch: A liberal court's ending of a local ban on gas-powered kitchen equipment was a win for restaurants everywhere.

Operations

There's far more than sizzle to Chipotle and Wendy's environmental moves

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 17, 2023

Working Lunch: Both of their newly announced initiatives add up to sound long-term business decisions.

Workforce

Will tipping's rapid spread make it an irresistible political target?

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 07, 2023

Working Lunch: Even unions can't seem to make up their minds on whether it's a good thing or a detriment to workers.

Workforce

When Mr. Schultz went to Washington

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 31, 2023

... And Mr. Sanders might've wished the coffee king had stayed home. The Working Lunch podcast weighs in on Howard Schultz's Senate hearing.

Workforce

What unionized Starbucks employees are demanding in their contracts

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 24, 2023

Working Lunch: The big ask is for a guarantee of 37 scheduled hours per week, set months in advance.

Financing

Restaurants turn to the states for relief on credit-card fees

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 20, 2023

Working Lunch: The argument against including sales taxes in the fee base is gaining traction.

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?

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