Newsom’s Office Rejects Idea That Donations Influenced Fast-Food Bill, Says Panera Bread Not Exempt

After speculation erupted into controversy that donations from billionaire Greg Flynn—founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the Flynn Restaurant Group—to California Gov. Gavin Newsom totaling $226,800 since 2018 resulted in unique exclusions to a new law regulating fast-food restaurants, the governor’s office Feb. 29 dismissed the notion. “The Governor never met with Flynn about this bill and this story is absurd,” Alex Stack, spokesperson for the governor, told The Epoch Times by email Thursday. “Our legal team has reviewed, and it appears Panera is not exempt from the law.” According to Mr. Stack, who was advised by the governor’s legal team, all aspects of bread-making must be conducted on-site to qualify for the exemption, and because chain bakeries like Panera Bread mix dough off-site and send it to locations for baking, they will not be exempt....