Trump to tap fast-food exec as labor secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Donald Trump will name Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, as labor secretary, according to several media reports.

Puzder, whose company operates the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s burger retail chains, has argued against raising the minimum wage to more than $9 per hour. He also has been an advocate of cutting back or eliminating regulations he claims have been a detriment to the restaurant industry and has been critical of the Affordable Care Act.

A free-market advocate, Puzder, an adviser and contributor to Trump, is expected to recommend an overhaul of the tax system, reported the Wall Street Journal.

The International Franchise Association lauded Trump’s decision.

“Andy would be an exceptional choice to lead the Labor Department and we applaud President-elect Trump for recognizing Andy’s business experience and policy acumen on so many issues impacting employers and employees in today’s economy,” the organization wrote in on its website.