Governor Gavin Newsom (D) pushed back last week on accusations that Panera Bread is exempt from California’s new $20 minimum wage for fast-food restaurant employees.
Republicans have accused Newsom of giving the chain special treatment because a high school classmate and donor to Newsom’s campaigns, Greg Flynn, runs two dozen Panera Bread restaurants in California. Bloomberg News first reported that Panera appeared to be exempt from the new minimum wage law, which takes effect in April and raises the minimum wage for fast-food workers from $16 to $20.
The law carves out an exception for businesses that produce their own bread on the premises. The exemption was added late in the bill’s process, and Newsom’s administration has not explained the reason for it — but now his team contends that Panera won’t be exempt from the law.
“The Governor never met with Flynn about this…
