By Isaiah J. Poole
Our Future Blog: June 27, 2016
While national pizza chains like Domino’s and Papa John’s have been targeted by Fight for 15 protests around the country because of their low wages and allegations of wage theft, a Washington, D.C.-based pizza entrepreneur has made his chain a champion of the $15-an-hour minimum wage. Michael Lastoria is the owner of the 15-store &pizza chain, and one of his shops will be the site Monday evening of a ceremonial signing of legislation that will increase the minimum wage in the District of Columbia to $15 an hour by 2020 and afterward annually based on the cost of living. ...
But Lastoria, in an interview with OurFuture.org, said that in fact he is expanding his chain, planning six new pizza shops this year. The reason, he said, is simple: “Allow your employees to thrive and your company will thrive.” ...
Lastoria is among several local business leaders who will be with Mayor Muriel Bowser at the Monday evening bill signing. Andy Shallal, who owns several Busboys & Poets restaurants around the Washington area and was a one-time mayoral candidate, was also slated to attend, as was Gina Schaefer, who has several Ace Hardware franchises around the city.
“This is a historic day for Washington D.C.,” said Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “Phasing in a $15 wage floor will boost consumer buying power, foster a more stable, productive workforce, and level the playing field for local businesses that already pay higher wages. This all adds up to create a healthier economy for our nation’s capital.” ...