³ÉÈËXÕ¾

SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Franchisee says Seattle’s minimum wage is ‘going to be a tragedy’

Mar 27, 2015, 5:57 AM | Updated: 7:23 am

Franchise business owners have to meet the same minimum wage requirements as large employers. ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ ...

Franchise business owners have to meet the same minimum wage requirements as large employers. ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Radio's Dori Monson spoke with one local business owner worried about how the ordinance will impact her family of five. (AP)

(AP)

Heidi Mann and her husband are parents of five. They make a living as owners of two Subway locations, but now face the possibility of closing at least one.

The couple’s Seattle location, which borders Shoreline, will have to increase its wages when the minimum wage ordinance goes into effect April 1.

Related: Franchise group will continue to fight Seattle minimum wage

“We’ve experienced a lot of customers telling us they will drive up the 20-30 blocks to the next Subway if we raise our prices,” Mann told ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Radio’s Dori Monson on Thursday.

Under the ordinance, large employers must reach a $15 minimum wage within three years. Locally owned franchises fall under the large employer category, a judge ruled last week.

As a result of the ordinance, some employees are asking for higher wages, but don’t seem to be as motivated, Mann said. The couple might not be able to afford to provide benefits.

Customers have told the couple they will cut down on tipping, too, because sandwich prices are expected to rise to meet operating costs and employees will already be making more. Without tips, employees could – in some cases – make less under the ordinance with fewer tips, Mann said.

“Profit is going to be diminished,” she explained to Dori.

How else will the ordinance effect the family, Dori wanted to know.

Right now, Mann’s husband works full time at the Kirkland location. He may transfer over to the Seattle shop and work 12- to 16-hour days to make up for the increased costs.

“It’s just going to be a tragedy,” Mann said.

Seattle News Archives & Features

Associated Press

Seattle man charged with string of burglaries at the homes of NFL and MLB stars

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle man was charged Friday with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent current and former football and baseball players, marking the latest example of well-known athletes being targeted in home thefts. Earl Henderson Riley IV, 21, was charged with several counts of residential burglary in both occupied and […]

1 month ago

Associated Press

Campgrounds closed along Pacific Crest Trail in search for man wanted in daughters’ deaths

SEATTLE (AP) — Authorities have closed a wide swath of popular campgrounds and backpacking areas along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington as they search for a former Army soldier wanted in the deaths of his three young daughters. Dozens of additional law enforcement officers from an array of agencies joined the investigation and search […]

1 month ago

In this undated photo released by the Thurston County Sheriff's Office, a cache of military weaponr...

Associated Press

2 arrested with arsenal and Nazi paraphernalia after base robbery were ex-military, prosecutors say

SEATTLE (AP) — Two men arrested in Washington state with an arsenal that included grenade launchers and body armor, along with Nazi paraphernalia, were former military members who attacked a soldier with a hammer while stealing gear from Joint Base Lewis-McChord last weekend, investigators say. Levi Austin Frakes and Charles Ethan Fields were arrested Monday […]

1 month ago

Associated Press

Authorities are searching for a Washington state father of 3 dead girls

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state father is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. Police on Tuesday asked the public for help in finding the father of the girls, Travis Decker, 32. He is wanted for three counts of murder and kidnapping, the Wenatchee Police […]

1 month ago

Expand Autoplay Image3 of 5 Burien car crashes through home Burien car crashes through home (photo:...

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 News Staff

Driver sails through Burien homes after launching off curb, officials say

A driver crashed into two Burien homes Monday afternoon causing significant damage.

1 month ago

Associated Press

1 person was rescued and a search is underway for 3 others after a boat sinks north of Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — One person was rescued by a good Samaritan and authorities were looking for three others after a boat took on water and sank in waters north of Seattle, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday. A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew and helicopter searched for the missing alongside Everett firefighters and police, the […]

2 months ago

Franchisee says Seattle’s minimum wage is ‘going to be a tragedy’