"Controversy Surrounding Panera and California's Fast Food Minimum Wage Law"

Panera was initially reported to be exempt from California's fast-food minimum wage law, but a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom has stated that this is not the case. The exemption is intended for bakeries, based on whether they produce bread and dough on site, and Panera does not fit this classification. There are allegations of a connection between Panera's potential exemption and billionaire Greg Flynn, who controls numerous Panera restaurants in California and has ties to Newsom. Flynn denies requesting the exemption but suggests that businesses like bakeries and bagel shops should be excluded. The situation has sparked calls for an investigation and raised questions about political influence.