---
title: "Nation’s Restaurant News: Restaurant Operators Gear Up for Election Day"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/9253a8a8-3f09-4ee4-9d2b-df5147f4cc39
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/nations-restaurant-news-restaurant-operators-gear-up-for-election-day-7459
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2016-11-08T16:11:02.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T04:14:25.902Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/7af180c8dd844a30f21bb4864959a93399.jpg
---

# Nation’s Restaurant News: Restaurant Operators Gear Up for Election Day

**TL;DR:** Restaurant operators are preparing for Election Day by offering freebies and discounts to customers who vote, while also being concerned about the issues at stake, including minimum wage hikes and healthcare reform. Minimum wage hikes are being presented on the ballot in four states, including Maine, Arizona, Colorado, and Washington state.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2016-11-08. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/nations-restaurant-news-restaurant-operators-gear-up-for-election-day-7459).*

## Story

Restaurant operators across the country are bracing themselves for a big day at the polls. With freebies and offers for customers, they are hoping to encourage Americans to vote while also increasing traffic to their location. But according to a recent Nation’s Restaurant News article, restaurant operators are also very concerned about the issues at stake today and preparing for the Election Day results.

In four states minimum wage hikes are being presented on the ballot. For voters in Maine, Arizona, and Colorado, the decision will be whether or not to raise the wage to $12 per hour, while those in Washington state will be voting for the proposed $13.50 per hour minimum wage.

Along with minimum wage hikes, other issues including healthcare and immigration reform are on the line and set to affect how restaurants will operate. “The next U.S. president will have an uncharacteristically broad mandate to shape the long-term and immediate future of federal labor and employment laws,” said Labor attorney Marc Zimmerman in a statement.

Across the restaurant industry, there is no clear favorite for the presidential candidate. While some companies are creating campaigns surrounding of voting, the two-party system, and the candidates, few brands are taking sides. Of course, there’s never a shortage of freebies to celebrate the day.

Bring in your “I voted” sticker to Chick-fil-A, Burger Lounge, Ben & Jerry’s, Krispy Kreme, and Firehouse Subs to receive free menu items or items at a discounted price.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- Chick-fil-A (company)
- Firehouse Subs (company)
- Krispy Kreme (company)
- Ben & Jerry's (company)
- restaurant promotions (topic)
- election day (topic)
- minimum wage hikes (topic)
- healthcare reform (topic)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/nations-restaurant-news-restaurant-operators-gear-up-for-election-day-7459). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9253a8a8-3f09-4ee4-9d2b-df5147f4cc39).