Newsom’s Office Rejects ‘Pay to Play’ Allegations, Says Panera Bread Not Exempt From Fast Food Law

The governor’s staff says the bill’s language on the bread baking exemption had nothing to do with campaign donations.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (C) speaks at a press conference near the closed I-10 elevated freeway following a large pallet fire, in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images

After speculation erupted into controversy that donations from billionaire Greg Flynn—founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of the Flynn Restaurant Group—to California Gov. Gavin Newsom totaling $226,800 since 2018 resulted in unique exclusions to a new law regulating fast-food restaurants, the governor’s office Feb. 29 dismissed the notion.

“The Governor never met with Flynn about this bill and this story is absurd,” Alex Stack, spokesperson for the governor, told The Epoch Times by email Thursday. “Our legal team has reviewed, and it appears Panera is not exempt from the law.”