Posts tagged fast-food restaurants

    Research ● Labor

    California’s $20 Fast-Food Minimum Wage: Job Losses, Higher Food Prices, Increased Automation

    February 19, 2025 // The BRG study found, “California’s fast-food restaurants lost 10,700 jobs between June 2023 and June 2024, making it the worst performing year outside of a recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, food prices at local restaurants have increased by 14.5% since the legislation was signed, nearly double the national average. AB 1228 was signed into law in October 2023 by Governor Gavin Newsom, creating the new $20 minimum wage for fast food employees – a massive 25% increase from the $16 minimum wage.

    $20 minimum wage AB 1228 Berkeley Research Group Bureau of Labor Statistics California California Business and Industrial Alliance COVID-19 Fast Food Council fast-food restaurants Gavin Newsom inflation Job Losses labor costs Limited-Service Restaurants Minimum wage Pandemic recession shorter hours small businesses wage hike