OPINIONWorkforce

Something's gotten into government this year. Here's why you should care

Working Lunch: The past week has brought at least one long-awaited and controversial regulatory change. But that's not all that's happening.

Coffee must be flowing more freely than usual these days in Washington, D.C. How else to explain the federal government’s amped-up start to the new year?

The U.S. Department of Labor issued its long-awaited final guideline for deciding when quasi-independent workers like delivery drivers are actually employees entitled to the same pay and benefits as full-fledged hires.

Meanwhile, Congress has taken up a resolution to quash the National Labor Relations Board’s redefinition of “joint employer,” one of the Biden administration’s most controversial dictates on the labor front.

Then again, state governments are not exactly sitting idle, either, with legislatures taking up issues as far afield as tweaking menu-labeling requirements and killing the tip credit.

How is the flurry of governmental and political activity likely to affect restaurants? Join veteran industry lobbyists Joe Kefauver and Franklin Coley, co-hosts of the Working Lunch political-affairs podcast, for a debrief.

This week’s episode also resolves the pressing issue of what sandwich and dessert to order during your next visit to a Panera Bread.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

The eatertainment business shows signs of wear

The Bottom Line: The food-and-games concept Chicago WhirlyBall filed for bankruptcy last week as companies like Dave & Buster’s and TopGolf show sales weakness.

Financing

This is why the restaurant business is in a value war right now

The Bottom Line: Same-store sales have slowed markedly for the past year as customers shifted to other options. And now operators are furiously working to get them back.

Financing

Saladworks-parent WOWorks is shopping for new brands to buy

The platform company is almost finished assimilating its existing six brands. Now it's time to add to the family, said CEO Kelly Roddy.

Trending

More from our partners