SEATTLE (AP) — The International Franchise Association is appealing part of Seattle's $15 minimum wage law that it claims discriminates against franchise owners.

The Seattle Times reports the association said Monday it has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case after losing an appeal before a federal court panel last fall.

The city's minimum wage ordinance requires enterprises with more than 500 employees to implement the $15 per hour wage faster than companies with fewer workers.

The franchise group filed a lawsuit in 2014 against the city to block a provision in the law that treats franchise owners the same as national companies, instead of small, locally owned businesses.

Franchise owners have argued they operate more like small businesses and can't afford the higher staff costs.

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