1851

The International Franchise Association (IFA)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/media-center/press-releases/save-local-restaurants-coalition-announces-over-one-million-california?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">announced</a> yesterday the submission of over one million petition signatures from California voters in opposition to AB 257, or&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-the-fast-act-could-mean-for-franchising-2717918">the FAST Act</a>. Once those signatures are validated by California’s secretary of state, the law, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/newsom-signs-fast-recovery-act-into-law-in-california-2719641">Sept. 5.</a>, will be put on hold until after the 2024 general election.The AB 257 bill’s goal is to give California fast-food workers and unions more influence over wage rates and workplace standards by establishing a council composed of QSR employees, franchisees and corporate brands, as well as government workplace regulators. The 11-person committee would have the authority to draft state labor standards for fast-food restaurants, including decisions around workers’ pay, schedules and safety regulations every six months.&nbsp;Many small business owners have expressed concern because of a fear that this bill could result in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/restaurants-increase-menu-prices-due-to-inflation-2717700">rising menu prices</a> if it becomes law. According to an analysis by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/media-center/press-releases/new-research-shows-20-increase-for-california-food-prices-with-ab-257?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UC Riverside</a>, prices at quick-service restaurants will increase up to 20% with the passage of AB 257, the IFA says. Franchisors in California are also concerned about how the AB-257 bill would result in them being considered&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-joint-employer-the-u-s-department-of-labor-has-new-rules-2712018">joint employers</a>, meaning they would share accountability for individual franchisees’ violation of labor standards.&nbsp;“The FAST Act would have an enormous impact on Californians, and clearly voters want a say in whether it should stand,” said the Save Local Restaurants Coalition in a statement. “The measure would establish an unelected council to control labor policy in the counter-service restaurant industry, cause food prices to increase by as much as 20% during a period of decades-high inflation, and harm thousands of small family-, minority-, and women-owned businesses across the state. Given less than one-third of Californians support AB 257, it is no surprise that over one million Californians have voiced their concerns with the legislation. The Save Local Restaurants Coalition is committed to helping ensure this bad law will not go into effect and voters have their voices heard.”Major restaurant franchises, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McDonald’s</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chick-fil-A</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yum.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Yum Brands</a>, have also raised&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fast-food-chains-raise-millions-to-oppose-california-wage-law-11664582402?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">millions of dollars</a> in efforts to curtail the FAST Recovery Act at the ballot box.&nbsp;Proponents of the bill, many of which are fast-food workers, argue that the FAST Act would protect them from employer abuse, including wage theft and sexual harassment. Supporters of the FAST Recovery Act, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seiu.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Service Employees International Union California</a>, have already expressed opposition to the referendum effort, going as far as to claim that the signatures were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-12-05/fast-food-industry-pushes-to-halt-ab-257-california-law-that-could-raise-worker-wages?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">obtained fraudulently</a>.&nbsp;“With AB 257, we would have a more dignified job,” Angelica Hernandez, an activist with the Fight for $15 campaign and long-time McDonald’s employee,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/8/15/23296481/fast-food-ab257-california-sectoral-labor-unions?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california-2720567" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">told Vox</a>. “We would finally have a voice and have a place where we can make sure that we are setting better standards. It’s sad because we work in a free country, but we’re not free in our job to speak out.”The Save Local Restaurants coalition, led by IFA, the National Restaurant Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is made up of small business owners, restaurant owners, franchisees, employees, consumers and community-based organizations.Related articles:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-the-fast-act-could-mean-for-franchising-2717918#stories">What the Fast Act Could Mean for Franchising</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/recent-court-ruling-brings-joint-employer-threat-back-to-franchising-2713838#stories">Recent Court Ruling Brings ‘Joint Employer’ Threat Back to Franchising</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/nlrb-finalizes-ruling-to-reduce-joint-employer-liability-for-franchisors-2712391#stories">NLRB Finalizes Ruling to Reduce Joint Employer Liability for Franchisors</a></li></ul>

Restaurant Groups Send Petition with Over One Million Signatures Opposing Fast Act in California 

1851 Franchise

The political coalition Save Local Restaurants, which is backed by some of the nation’s largest franchise restaurant brands, says it has collected enough signatures to implement a statewide referendum on California’s controversial bill.

restaurant-groups-send-petition-with-over-one-million-signatures-opposing-fast-act-in-california

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees Scale to Multiple Locations

how-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees-scale-to-multiple-locations

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Restaurant Groups Send Petition with Over One Million Signatures Opposing Fast Act in California

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS