What's with the Pineapple?

What's with the Pineapple is making history this episode — first ever remote segment (Justin's phoning it in from Traverse City, literally) and Emily's first solo interview. The segments cover a big tip credit win out of Chicago, where the City Council voted to halt the phase-out, Justin's productive DC fly-in for Restaurants Act, movement on Michigan's open and obvious doctrine, and Grand Rapids swinging big (hopefully) on a 600-room convention hotel. Emily also takes a massive bite out of Burget King's new marketing campaign. In the second half, Emily sits down with Diana Woodward of Plymouth Canton Educational Park and Katie Agacinski  of DCTC at Riverview — first place finishers in culinary and management at this year's record-breaking ProStart state competition. They talk nationals, what makes ProStart students hireable, and why making a judge tear up is a legitimate benchmark for success.

Presented by the MRL Fund. Find more information at mrla.org/mrl-fund.html 

Support MHF and send ProStart teams off to the National ProStart Invitational by attending ProStart in Paradies. Tickets available at https://www.mihf.org/prostartinparadise.html.

Pete Beukema literally flies planes and wants Michigan's hospitality industry to reach similar altitudes. The new MRLA Chairman talks Brady Bunch-style family business dynamics, why property taxes are killing development deals, and how Pure Michigan keeps getting shortchanged while surrounding states actually invest in tourism. Crown and Core discovers protein infiltrating every menu, the GLP-1 fascination continues with new data showing users still dining out, and somehow the great pepperoni diversity debate makes an appearance alongside Justin's third Chipotle reference in as many episodes. Then For Forks Sake lives up to its segment name with topics on a proposed 6% sales tax on tourism services to fund property tax cuts and the governor's $88 billion budget proposals. Pete's vision is straightforward – stop chasing shiny corporate deals, help operators on every street corner and fund tourism like Michigan actually wants visitors. 

Presented by the MRL Fund. Find more information at mrla.org/mrl-fund.html

It's a Christmas miracle – another episode before year's end, thanks to producer Joe getting married and leaving Emily to discover he makes them sound way better than they actually are. After Crown and Core debuts Michigan's first "outdoor hotel" (it's a campground with aspirations) and This Week in Michigan History reveals the 1948 Supreme Court ban on female bartenders lasted until 1976, Pure Michigan's Kelly Wolgamott joins to celebrate the campaign's 20th anniversary. Kelly explains navigating budget cuts from $30 million to $17 million while maintaining Fast Company "Brands That Matter" status, promotes Michigan's ranking as second nationally with 40+ ski areas, and champions winter tourism from the I-500 to frozen Tahquamenon Falls. The conversation covers supporting local businesses through travel gift cards, developing a strategic plan with 600+ industry stakeholders, and why redirecting online purchases to Michigan businesses could create 12,000 jobs. Between Grand Rapids' first mocktail bar (Emily predicted this nine years ago), record holiday travel with 122 million Americans road-tripping, and Kelly casually mentioning she swam the Mackinac Straits in three-foot waves, this episode delivers exactly what the title promises.

Detroit's winning and has the receipts to prove it – literally hundreds of millions of them. Before DoorDash economist Erica Blom reveals why the Motor City ranks third nationally with a $12.90 cheeseburger meal (national average: $18.58), Emily declares war on boring modern architecture while Justin explains Michigan's bizarre post-prohibition liquor control system. It’s a battle of the opening segments. The main event delivers DoorDash's groundbreaking State of Local Commerce report built from hundreds of millions of transactions across 100 cities. Detroit dominates: 94% restaurant resilience rate, 21% new restaurant growth on the platform, and proof that restaurant spending is outpacing inflation nationally. Between America's 250 billion pennies creating cash chaos and restoring Brand USA funding ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary, this episode proves data really is king – and Detroit is winning.

You can't spell "reunited" without... well, actually you can, but Emily's back anyway to defend the podcast segments after Justin's three-episode soundboard discovery tour. The duo kicks off with the 1835 Toledo War where Michigan traded a swampy Ohio strip for the entire Upper Peninsula (clear winner: Michigan), before diving into why Pure Michigan's $17 million budget is an embarrassment when Wisconsin is eating our lunch with better marketing dollars. Airbnb thinks slapping a 3% tax on hotels and short-term rentals that funds literally anything except tourism is "parity" – cute, but no. Between celebrating Michigan-based pizza dominance that nobody talks about enough, Joe Vicari claiming prime JW Marriott real estate, and navigating the THC beverage Wild West, this episode proves Emily's return couldn't come soon enough. Some things change, some stay exactly the same – welcome back to chaos.

Editor’s note: short-term rental legislation did not end up being introduced on the day of this episode recording as expected.

Justin welcomes the Vice President of Industry Relations at Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) Vice, Dan Spears, to share what makes BMI different than other Performance Rights Organizations (PRO’s) and how their partnership with the MRLA provides meaningful value and transparency for members. Dan also welcomes BMI artist and fellow Michigander Julianne Ankley to share her experience working with the company before making What’s with the Pineapple podcast history as its first musical performance. Julianne was nothing short of great, but clearly we at the MRLA have work to do in the studio before welcoming any more acoustical guests! Justin also shares the outline of a possible budget deal to avert a shutdown of our state government, analysis of two interesting reports out in the restaurant and hotel industries and his aggressive support the American Franchise Act. And, perhaps most important of all, back by little (to no) demand – This Week in Michigan History returns for a third time! There is no better way to enjoy a beautiful early Fall day in our great state. Enjoy! 

Justin welcomes back Adrian Hemond of Grassroots Midwest and John Sellek of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs who jointly share their inside the Lansing beltway expertise under the moniker “Baldly Bipartisan”. The trio discuss the status of the 2026 governor’s race in Michigan, with a real focus on the impact that independent candidate Mike Duggan has had on the dynamics before previewing the open US Senate seat and potential constitutional convention. They wrap the interview by predicting outcomes of the hotly partisan standoff on the state budget, which could result in a government shutdown if Republican Speaker of the House Matt Hall and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks cannot resolve differences by October 1. Justin also brings back This Week in Michigan History, a real keeper of a segment (in Justin’s mind) and a few industry plaudits before transitioning to the interview. Enjoy! 

Ooh baby baby, it’s a wild world! Justin labored to handle the podcasting duties solo this week because beloved co-host Emily went into labor and welcomed baby Lenora Joyce “LJ” into the world. Team MRLA is ecstatic and committed to carrying the torch forward in her temporary absence, but let this pod be your official declaration to manage expectations accordingly! Justin tries out a new segment that somehow features Tiger Woods, Hootie and the Stanley Cup before a seamless(-ish) segue into tariffs and a big win in Washington D.C. on the tip credit. Justin then welcomes MRLA Board member and owner of Vault Hotels, Jennifer Julien, for an interesting and informative discussion on her foray into hospitality, the groundbreaking of the new Vault Hotel in Marquette and her celebrity life as a professional snowmobile racer. Enjoy!

While Emily hasn't gone on leave quite yet, Justin takes the helm with production control and an impressive arsenal of sound effects buttons to break down the massive tax legislation signed into law over Fourth of July weekend. After celebrating National Kitten Day and pitching "Detroit Does" as the new WNBA team name, the co-hosts dive into local wins including Detroit City Council streamlining business licensing and Cameron Mitchell's $13 million Big Rock Italian Chophouse remake in Birmingham. The real star is Aaron Frazier from the National Restaurant Association, who explains how the new tax law delivers generational opportunities for operators: permanent 100% equipment expensing (goodbye to deducting that $20,000 oven over seven years), no federal income tax on tips up to $25,000 for four years, and estate tax relief up to $15 million. For an industry that's been sitting on investment sidelines since COVID, this legislation provides the certainty needed to expand, upgrade, and actually plan beyond next quarter. Plus, family medical leave tax credits and childcare benefits that could finally help with retention in a perpetually transient industry. What sound effects do you think describe today's episode? It'll be added to the board in no time. 

Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/

Register for the DRLA Mayoral Forum at drla.org/events

With Emily preparing for a hiatus and Justin's podcast equipment training going about as well as expected, the duo tackles the hospitality industry's latest existential crisis: customers who literally can't finish their food. Dr. Wesley Tucker from Texas Women's University explains the GLP-1 revolution that has 15-20 million Americans eating 800-1000 fewer calories daily while shifting spending from processed foods to items like Greek yogurt. The conversation covers everything from two-beer nights becoming the new normal to some restaurants already rolling out "GLP-1 friendly" menus. Between tip credit referendum updates, Michigan Central's new hotel development, and whether operators should adapt now or wait for the oral pill version hitting 2026-2027, this episode explores the difference between and industry that can super-size meeting customers who can't finish their appetizers. Wolfgang Puck is already adapting – should Michigan operators follow suit?

Presented by Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, Rhodes PLDC. Find more information at https://fsbrlaw.com/

(00:48) – Intro

(06:19) – Pineapple Express

(23:36) – Pineapple Plaudits

(28:44) – For Fork’s Sake

(40:43) – Interview with Dr. Wesley Tucker