1648351496 Wayne Pankratz hit out for allegedly suggesting Applebee pay cuts

Wayne Pankratz hit out for allegedly suggesting Applebee pay cuts

Pay less in the neighborhood.

An Applebee franchise manager is under fire for allegedly implying in a leaked email that deteriorating economic conditions could force desperate restaurant workers to work longer shifts at lower wages.

“As inflation continues to rise and gas prices continue to rise, it means employees are having to work more hours to maintain their current standard of living,” said the March 6 email, which was allegedly sent by Wayne Pankratz, a senior American Franchise employees were sent to Capital.

The email, posted to Reddit on Wednesday, received more than 5,000 comments before the thread was locked.

The email received more than 5,000 Reddit comments before the thread was locked.The leaked email received more than 5,000 Reddit comments before the thread was banned.Twitter/@vote4robgill

In the email, Pankratz happily shares that stimulus checks have expired and that corner shops are struggling to offer competitive wages, driving “more potential employees into the hiring pool.”

The favorable labor market gives his company the opportunity to hire employees “at a lower wage”.

Atlanta-based American Franchise Capital owns and operates Taco Bell and Applebee’s restaurants in nine states with annual sales in excess of $200 million.

Wayne Pankratz, Applebee's mid-level manager, says higher gas prices are great for business because most employees can live check-to-check and hopefully start cutting wages.Wayne Pankratz, Applebee’s middle executive, reportedly said that higher gas prices are great for business as most employees are living check to check and hopefully could start cutting wages.Twitter/@vote4robgill

A company spokesman told the Kansas City Star that Pankratz does not have the power to influence the company’s hiring policies.