Posted 2/28/2024, 4:07:18 PM
Panera Franchises Exempted From California's Minimum Wage Hike, Raising Questions About Ties to Governor
- California's new $20 minimum wage law exempts chains that bake & sell bread, benefiting billionaire Greg Flynn's Panera franchise holdings
- Exemption puzzled observers; was result of negotiations between legislators, unions, & "stakeholders"
- Flynn has ties to Gov. Newsom - high school classmates, political donations, prior business dealings
- Competitors like McDonald's bracing for higher costs from wage hike; Panera gets a break
- Some wonder if exemption was tied to Flynn's relationship with Newsom; both declined to discuss connections