Puzder’s Fast-Food Allies Look to Defend Nominee From Blitz

  • CEO of Carl’s Jr. empire in cross hairs of Democrats, workers
  • Senators organized forum to scrutinize record on Tuesday

CEO of CKE Restaurants Andy Puzder departs Trump Tower, on Dec. 7, 2016 in New York City.

Photographer: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Fast-food executives are rushing to defend the record of labor secretary nominee Andy Puzder, the controversial restaurant-chain leader who Democrats are targeting over his opposition to a higher national minimum wage.

The International Franchise Association is calling on its 15,000 members to sign a letter that will be delivered to the Senate before Puzder’s hearing confirmation for a post in Donald Trump’s cabinet. So far, about 500 to 600 companies have signed their names to the letter, including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., according to spokesman Matt Haller.