An Applebee's franchise executive with American Franchise Capital is under fire after a leaked email suggested that the company may lower their employee wages. The email sent on March 6th allegedly from Wayne Pankratz, details the worsening of economic conditions and how this will be in the favor of Applebee's as more applicants flow in and are looking for longer shifts that they can offer at lower wages. In the email he says the favorable labor market gives his company the chance to hire employees at a lower wage. A spokesperson for the company said that Pankratz does not have the power to influence the company’s hiring policies.
See "Leaked email from Applebee’s exec suggests employee pay cuts", Isabel Vincent, New York Post, March 28, 2022