The Department of Agriculture threatened to pull almost $90 million in food stamp funding from the entire state of Illinois over how Cook County's sugary drink tax is being implemented in places like Chicago. This week's analysis from the Align Public Strategies crew includes what this warning from the feds means for other municipalities trying to pass a soda tax.

Plus, remember when the Fight for $15 movement used to shutdown streets with protesters? Whatever happened to them and why have they become so quiet lately. What's next for the movement? Twelve, maybe?

Those stories and the legislative scorecard from the week including joint employers rulings out of DC.

This is a special episode of Working Lunch recorded in front a live audience at the 2017 FRLA Marketing & Operations Summit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Guests include Joe Kadow, EVP and Chief Legal Officer of Bloomin' Brands, Inc. and Lino Maldonado, VP of Operations for the Gulf Region for Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America. They, along with Align Public Strategies partners Joe Kefauver and Franklin Coley, provide expert insight and analysis about the latest policy, politics and social issues impacting entry-level employers.

RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS GET DRAGGED BACK INTO THE IMMIGRATION CONVERSATION THANKS TO A NEW SENATE BILL AND THE ROLLOUT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY. THROW ANOTHER NOTCH IN THE LOSS COLUMN.

THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD HAS NEWS ABOUT THE PUSH FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES IN SEVERAL STATES AND CITIES INCLUDING ATTEMPTS AT SEVERAL BALLOT INITIATIVES TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON.

Political turmoil reached an all-time high during the current Republican control of Congress and the White House. This week the Align crew finds places for business operators to find momentum on their key policy issues at the federal level as new doors could open in states. Also on this episode of Working Lunch, a "skinny," summer edition of the legislative scorecard with a handful of labor updates that impact brands around the country.

An already intense debate over minimum wage increases is heating up with the labor community fighting back on the airwaves over a credible study knocking Seattle’s increase. This week the crew at Align Public Strategies looks at how the conversation around this issue is shaping up and what it means looking forward. Also on the podcast, there is actual work getting done in Washington D.C. that is positive for the business community. Those stories plus the legislative scorecard with news on wages, paid leave and other top items from around the country.

This week the Align crew explains why a scheduling mandate with bipartisan support in Oregon could become the template for states to use around the country. Also, CEO pay is going to get a lot more scrutiny for publicly traded companies starting in 2018, we'll explain why. Those stories plus a summer edition of the legislative scorecard.

How a new study could revolutionize minimum wage research around the country--This week the Align Public Strategies crew explains the importance of a controversial report that could shake up how policy makers evaluate the true impact of rapidly raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Entry-level employers were right about their concerns and the latest research method proves it. This episode of Working Lunch explains what study means for the debate in the future. That’s the focus of the show, plus the latest wage, scheduling and other policy issues in this week’s legislative scorecard.

Republicans got another win in a special election while Democratic voters turnout big in GOP territory. The Align crew describes what it all mean heading into the Senate’s vote on a possible health care repeal. 

Plus, a big disruption in food retail—Business operators better watch out for a powerful union’s next move in response to Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods. Those stories and the legislative scorecard.

Quietly, the Trump administration, Congress and D.C. think tanks are taking on labor policy issues that matter to entry-level employers. Meanwhile, primary election results in Virginia's gubernatorial race may give Republicans on Capitol Hill second thoughts about carrying out the president's agenda. All that plus the legislative scorecard from the crew at Align Public Strategies.

This is a special episode of Working Lunch--an extended interview with Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox. Hear how he achieved a competitive advantage by getting smart about government policy and politics. He talks about the biggest threats to P&L, the sales benefit of building strong community relationships, and what he got out of reading every page of the Affordable Care Act.