U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is back in the news again — this time teaming up with Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United to return to her roots and do some celebrity bartending. Why? To show solidarity with restaurant and other service industry workers. Align Public Strategies discusses why that matters and what the potential implications of that alliance may mean for the industry.

In other news, chaos seems to be reigning supreme at both the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board with staff upheaval, logjams, and a Secretary out of favor by the White House. The team chats about what operators need to be prepared for.

Finally, it’s the last day of session in Alabama and the franchise bill is coming down to the wire. Jeff Hanscom from the International Franchise Association joins the Align crew for the latest developments. The episode concludes with this week’s legislative scorecard.

Align Public Strategies is a full-service public affairs and creative firm that helps corporate brands, governments and non-profit organizations navigate the outside world and inform their internal decision-making. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality.