Newsom Donor Says His Panera Bread Locations Will Comply With Minimum Wage Law

A billionaire restaurant mogul and Gov. Gavin Newsom donor said March 5 that the Panera Bread establishments he owns across the Golden State will pay employees the minimum wage of $20 per hour established by the state’s recent fast-food restaurant law. Controversy arose last week regarding whether Panera Bread would be exempt from the new law. Assembly Bill 1228, signed by Mr. Newsom last year, establishes a minimum wage of $20 per hour for employees of fast-food chains with over 60 nationwide locations sharing common brands, starting April 1. The law includes an exception for some bakeries that sell bread. “Regardless of whether the bakery exemption in AB1228 applies to our bakery-cafes, California locations owned and operated by Flynn Group will increase all hourly pre-tip wages to $20 per hour or higher effective April 1,” said Greg Flynn, CEO of Flynn Group, which owns 24 Panera Bread restaurants in California, in a statement....