... the International Franchise Association, a DC-based lobbying organization that protects the interests of beloved local small businesses like McDonald's, Taco Bell, Dunkin' Donuts, and Dairy Queen, filed a lawsuit in US District Court to block Seattle's $15 minimum wage law. They say it "illegally discriminates against franchisees," since any national brand with more than 500 employees is considered a "large business" under the new law, and must scale up to the $15 wage on a faster schedule, in 3 to 4 years.