East Coast Applebee's Owner Threatens Hiring Freeze; Prompts Boycott

A New York Applebee's franchise owner said after the re-election of President Barack Obama that the Affordable Health Care Act would cause a hiring freeze, inspiring a boycott of the restaurant chain.

Zane Tankel told the Fox Business Network that he would not hire people or open new stores due to the health care act's implementation, according to a report in the Huffington Post.

Tankel's comments have inspired some to boycott the chain according to the report.

A few Facebook pages have been launched to boycott both Applebee's and Papa John's where a CEO has made similar complaints about the Affordable Care Act.

But it's business as usual here in Ames.

John Goetz, an Applebee's manager in Ames, isn't sure how the act would affect his business where hourly employees are already offered health care coverage, but he did say that the premiums for the health care insurance plans offered employees will remain the same for 2013. Goetz said his franchise includes Ames and about 24 other Applebee's east of Interstate 35.

Applebee's International president, Mike Archer, said in a statement that Tankel's comments were not the views or opinions of Applebee's or other franchises, according to a report from ABC News.

Archer said that the company and its franchise owners "recognize that affordable health care is a critically important issue facing our country."

"Because final regulations and guidance are still pending from government agencies regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), exactly how our franchisees will implement the law when it takes effect in 2014 is still uncertain," Archer said. "However, we do know that our franchisees will comply fully with the law and take every measure possible to continue doing right by their employees -- the lifeblood of their businesses. Applebee's franchisees have always led their companies as responsible, caring employers, and implementation of the new law will be consistent with that commitment."