US ethanol regulations, ObamaCare, and rising min. wage are main reasons fast food companies are expanding outside the US-CNBC

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12/31/13, "Fast food CEO: How govt regulation is driving us abroad," CNBC, Katie Little

"Andy Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Hardee's and Carl's Jr.:"

"Puzder named ethanol regulation, which has resulted in higher beef costs, a rising minimum wage and higher labor costs due to Obamacare as three obstacles that make doing business in the U.S. more difficult than in the past. 

To help lessen the effect of these rising labor costs and to attract a tech-savvy generation, CKE is turning to technology and looking into options for mobile ordering as well as tablet ordering within its restaurants. 

"I think it satisfies the needs of younger people. It also reduces your costs," he said. "When they talk about raising the minimum wage or providing health care for employees over 30 hours, you're really encouraging automation."" via Drudge


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