Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, spoke to California State Assemblymen in Sacramento, confirming the state’s hostile environment for business.
Out of California
At the invitation of Assemblyman Dan Logue, Puzder made his remarks on March 16 at an Economic Recovery Group meeting, which Logue hosts monthly. Logue alone seems concerned for the business exodus in full swing from the Golden State.
Task on Texas
Puzder sets sights on Texas for relocating CKE headquarters. Its 700 Carl’s Jr restaurants in California, employing 18,500 people, can’t be far behind. Puzder said Carl’s Jr restaurants in California would likely remain open, but Texas will host 300 brand new ones—with accompanying employment opportunities—for sure.
The CA way
Puzder made direct Texas-California comparisons.
- “It costs us $250,000 more to build one California restaurant than in Texas. And once it is opened [in CA], we’re not allowed to run it.”
- “It takes eight months to two years to get permits to build a restaurant in California. In Texas, it’s one and one-half months.”
Entrepreneurial killer
Speaking about what California does to entrepreneurs, Puzder had these remarks.
- “People are just dying to get out there and make money. But California is setting a bar here. You can’t work smarter, harder, longer or better.”
- “We just want to build restaurants. It’s hard to stay in a place where you feel hated all of the time.”
Because California requires mandatory break time for employees, hungry customers waiting on line at lunchtime see workers lounging in back. California regulations won’t allow business to serve clientele lined up out the door and down the block. It’s a sin what California does to its people, especially the ones wanting to earn their own living.
Adios, amigos
Hell bent on restricting business, California is sending a message. And Puzder is getting it loud and clear, letting his restaurants do the walking.
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