Supremes reject franchises’ appeal over $15 Seattle wage

Five franchises and the International Franchise Association said the law treats Seattle’s 623 franchises like large businesses because they are part of multistate networks. But in reality, the franchises say, they are small businesses and should have more time to phase in the higher hourly wage minimum.

Small businesses employing fewer than 500 people have seven years to phase in the $15 hourly wage, while large employers must do so over three years.