After President Obama's health care law takes full effect, the slogan for national pizza chain Papa John's may need an update. Instead of, "Better ingredients. Better Pizza," may we suggest, "Better health care. Pricier pizza."
Papa John's CEO John Schnatter says that Obamacare will result in a $0.11 to $0.14 price increase per pizza, or $0.15 to $0.20 cents per order, Pizza Marketplace, a trade publication, reports. (Hat tip: @dkberman via Twitter.)
Under Obamacare, the company, which is the third-largest pizza takeout and delivery chain in the United States, will have to offer health care coverage to more of its 16,500 total employees or pay a penalty to the government.
The National Restaurant Association pointed out following the health care law's Supreme Court approval that it may adversely affect restaurants' ability to maintain already slim profit margins because it requires companies of more than 50 employees to provide affordable health insurance.
One Papa John's franchise owner in Texas, Judy Nichols, says the law could interfere with her ability to open more restaurants.
"I have two options, I can stop offering coverage and pay the $2,000 fine, or I could keep my number of staff under 50 so the mandate doesn't apply," she told Legal Newsline. Nichols added that the law may cost her between $20,000 to $30,000 extra in taxes. "Obamacare is making me think about cutting jobs instead," she said.
But with strong sales last quarter and more than 1,500 new retail locations planned in the near future, Schnatter doesn't seem all that bothered -- perhaps because he intends to pass those health care costs on to customers.
"We're not supportive of Obamacare, like most businesses in our industry," Schnatter was quoted as saying in Politico. "But our business model and unit economics are about as ideal as you can get for a food company to absorb Obamacare."
Schnatter has thrown his weight behind Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney this election season, even hosting a campaign fundraiser at his Louisville-area mansion in May. "Don't you love this country?" Romney, who attended, asked during the event. "What a home this is, what grounds these are, the pool, the golf course."
McDonald's also expects Obamacare to cost each of its 14,000 franchises between $10,000 and $30,000 annually, according to Businessweek. But, like Schnatter, the company remains optimistic it is well placed to handle the extra costs.
Representatives from other restaurant chains may be less hopeful, however, including Burger King, Quiznos and Dunkin' Donuts, all which have expressed concern the law may hurt business, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Besides making your pizzas pricier, here's what Obamacare will do for you:
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You Will Not Be Denied Over A Pre-existing Condition
Health insurance companies won't be allowed to deny coverage to Americans in frail health, according to <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/health/gap-in-health-care-law-s-protection-for-children-1.1828037" target="_hplink">ABC News</a>.
Your Child's Policy Will Not Exclude Coverage For Any Illness
Insurance companies won't be permitted to write child health care policies that exclude coverage for certain illnesses by 2014, according to <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/health/gap-in-health-care-law-s-protection-for-children-1.1828037" target="_hplink">ABC News</a>.
Some Will Be Taxed For Not Buying Health Insurance
Americans who do not purchase health insurance and are financially able to do so will be subject to a $695 penalty starting in 2014, according to <a href="http://www.boston.com/business/personalfinance/managingyourmoney/archives/2010/03/tax_implication.html" target="_hplink">Boston.com</a>.
Your Insurance Plan Will Offer More Free Preventative Care
All new health insurance plans since 2010 have been required to include free preventative care, according to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/26/health/health-reform-fun-facts/index.html" target="_hplink">CNN</a>. This includes mammograms, vaccinations, colonoscopies, physical examinations and other forms of care. All plans need to provide these free services by 2018.
Seniors Will Pay Less For Prescriptions
Before some provisions of the health care law went into effect, seniors were required to pay the full cost of prescription medications once they reached a limit on prescription drug spending, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/health-care-reform-medicare-prescription-drugs_n_1625629.html" target="_hplink">The Huffington Post</a> reports. Obamacare is on track to close the gap by 2020, according to <a href="http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=4388&intNumPerPage=10&checkDate=&checkKey=&srchType=1&numDays=3500&srchOpt=0&srchData=&keywordType=All&chkNewsType=1%2C+2%2C+3%2C+4%2C+5&intPage=&showAll=&pYear=&year=&desc=&cboOrder=date" target="_hplink">the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services</a>.
Insurance Policies Will Not Cap Your Coverage
Because of health care reform, health insurance companies will no longer be able to impose annual caps on coverage by 2014, <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/health_stew/2012/03/acas_ban_on_lifetime_caps_prot.html" target="_hplink">Boston.com reports.</a>
Insurance Companies Can't Drop You When You Get Sick
As a result of health care reform, health insurance companies will not be allowed to end your coverage once you are sick, the <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-06/health/ct-biz-0706-rescissions-health-reform20100706_1_small-group-coverage-illinois-insurance-department-rescission" target="_hplink"><em>Chicago Tribune</em> reports</a>.
You Can Remain On Your Parents' Plan Until Age 26
As a result of health care reform, children can remain on their parents' insurance plan <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/28/health-care-reform-young-adults_n_1385083.html" target="_hplink">until they reach the age of 26.</a>
PEOPLE HANG AROUND WITH REPUBLICANS, IS IT BECAUSE THEY TAKE CARE OF THE RICH WITH ALL THE TAX BREAKS. YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOTED FOR TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN, THE RICH GET RICHER.
If Papa John wants to mix their politics and business I'll just quit and move to another brand. Don't do Dominoes b/c of how their pork is raised inhumanely (penned so they can't move their entire lives). Plenty to choose from. Papa Murphy? Better yet - our local Italian family owned pizzera. Best pizza in town and much better than the franchise places!
I've already quit Chik-Fil-A b/c they want to preach politics and religion to me. Hey folks - pizza and chicken made at my home tastes better any how and is better for my family. We oven bake our chicken rather than fry it 99% of the time.
Hey - this is why I started avoiding some religious people 40 years ago. I don't want to hear your politics or your religion or how I was born a sinner. Buzz off!
How's that mansion in Louisville working out for you? Maybe a small cut in your pay would help to provide healthcare to the thousands who work for low wages and no benefits to become healthier. Never mind, the company policy to add a delivery charge that does not go to the person who actually delivers the pizza. That affects the tip $ that used to go into their pocket because the consumer feels they've already paid for a delivery. Let's try and help the community out by taking care of your employees!
Wolf-Spider
because you can't help take care of the people who make you a great living.