Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks Corp., is considering a run for U.S. president. Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza and former head of the National Restaurant Association, may join the Federal Reserve Board. Are these the glory days for the restaurant industry, or will it run headlong into a public examination of its business model?

And Republicans out in the West — in Wyoming of all places — are going after big companies. Does populism have corporate America in its sights?

Finally, as a special feature for the 100th episode, Align Public Strategies takes a look at what has changed in the political environment since the launch of “Working Lunch.” The team also wraps up 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.