Sumer Suri, a small business owner in Los Angeles, shares his experience of owning multiple Subway restaurants and the challenges faced due to new state laws and proposed city ordinances. Suri, who started his entrepreneurial journey in the restaurant industry by purchasing his first Subway in 1993, highlights the impact of a recent minimum wage hike to $20/hour for fast food workers on local restaurant owners. The sudden increase in operating costs has forced many to raise prices, reduce employee hours, and make tough decisions about their businesses.
Suri expresses concerns about a proposed city ordinance that would add even more costs and regulations for quick service restaurants like his, making it even harder for small businesses to survive. He shares how the additional burdens could result in further layoffs, reduced employee hours, and potentially the closure of more restaurants. Several other brands have already been forced to make similar decisions in anticipation of the rising costs.
Suri calls on the LA City Council to consider the impact on small businesses and jobs before implementing the new restaurant ordinance. He urges them to reject the proposal in order to support local restaurant owners and help them navigate the challenges brought on by the minimum wage hike. With customer traffic already decreasing and costs rising, Suri and many others in the industry are facing an uncertain future as they try to keep their businesses afloat.
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