Wayne Pankratz, the executive director of operations for American Franchise Capital, which owns 50 Applebee's franchises in the Midwest, called on the company to lower wages for workers already hit hard by soaring gas prices and inflation
An Applebee's executive caused an uproar when he allegedly told company officials in a leaked email that skyrocketing gas prices and inflation could be used to lower wages for workers already living paycheck to paycheck.
In a copy of the internal email posted on Reddit on Wednesday, Wayne Pankratz, the executive director of operations for American Franchise Capital, which owns 50 Applebee's in the Midwest, allegedly told managers of the fast food chain that employees and applicants are economically hurting, which he saw as an 'advantage.'
'Most of our employee base and potential employee base live paycheck to paycheck,' the email read. 'Any increase in gas prices cuts into their disposable income.'
This week, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Midwest states hovered near $4, while Los Angeles hit a record $6.011, according to the AAA Gas Price Index.
Pankratz allegedly went on to say: 'As inflation continues to climb and gas prices continue to go up, that means more hours employees will need to work to maintain their current level of living.'
He added that with pandemic government aid drying up and people needing two jobs to survive, the company needed to make sure new workers are brought in on lower wages and should have their lives revolve around Applebee's, according to the leaked email.
A copy of the leaked email posted on Reddit has Pankratz allegedly telling company officials that they need to take advantage of economic troubles plaguing American workers
Along with soaring gas prices, inflation has left many across the nation struggling
'The labor market is about to turn in our favor,' Pankratz allegedly wrote. 'Besides hiring employees at a lower wage to decrease our labor [cost] (when able) make sure you have a pulse on the morale of your employees.
'Your employees that live check to check are impacted more than the people reading this email. Be conscious of that. Many will need to work more hours or get a second job,' the email continued.
'Do things to make sure you are the employer of choice. Get schedules completed early so they can plan their jobs around yours.'
He went on to gloat that mom-and-pop companies and other competitors were going under because of the pandemic, leaving Applebee's with more potential applicants to potentially exploit.
Scott Fischer, a spokesman for American Franchise Capital, told the Kansas City Star that the email does not reflect the company's position nor does Pankratz have any power to make such
