California's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022

Today, Senate Bill 3 (Leno), a bill proposing to increase California's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022, was approved in both houses of the Legislature and now awaits Governor Brown's signature.

Senate Bill 3 would tie further increases to inflation and would provide small businesses (25 or fewer employees) with an additional year for compliance. The proposal was formally announced by the Governor and labor leaders on Monday, and was pushed through the Legislative process at an expedited pace. This policy did not include any input from our organization, the business community nor many legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle.

The California Restaurant Association continues to co-chair a robust coalition, California Consumers Against Higher Prices, to advocate on behalf of our members, and we will continue to explore all our options moving forward. The following statement was issued today in response to the Legislature's approval of Senate Bill 3:

"We are disappointed in the Legislature for disregarding their constituents, districts, small businesses and working families by approving this overreaching minimum wage increase. A proposal of this magnitude deserves thoughtful consideration, not a backroom deal rushed through the Legislature in three short days. This is public policy at its worst.

Despite our coalition's aggressive efforts, the Legislature has failed to acknowledge any concerns regarding this legislation. The decision to bow to special interest labor groups at the expense of California families and vital local services is inexcusable, and our coalition will continue to advocate on behalf of our members to fight a policy that goes too far, too fast."

Mel Jones is one of the premier restaurant brokers in the nation having published hundreds of articles on buying and selling a restaurant and bar business, selling thousands of restaurants in CA., WA and AZ and building one of the most copied business models in the brokerage industry.  Mel started SellingRestaurants in 2004 with the one simple concept, give the buyers the information they need to make intelligent buying decisions without being pestered by a broker or hiding information, prepare the business for market by researching key details that make or break deals and educate the buyer on the buying process to create an intelligent buyer.  Prior to SellingRestaurants, Mel was a Chief Financial Officer for Universal Music Group, the largest music company in the world.  There he participated in more than $11.5 billion of merger and acquisition transactions.  He also work for top companies such as Nestle Foods, USA. He hold a Bachelors in Business Administration Finance as well as attened Law School at Gonzaga University.  Give Mel a call at 480.274.7000 or e-mail him at [email protected] if you have any questions. 

CRA President + CEO