Sienna Taus | Student Life Editor
May 1st, 2024
Since April 1, 2024, all fast food restaurants in California were forced to raise their minimum wage to $20 per hour compared to the state minimum wage of $16. What this means for consumers is that prices are going to increase in most fast-food restaurants to ensure they do not lose a profit on their revenue.
The price of living in California is significantly higher than in other states so it is understandable that employees would need higher wages to afford the high expenses of this state.
Fast food restaurants used to be made for people who come from low-income areas and support those who do not make a lot of money. As inflation increases, the price level of everything will end up increasing. This means that even places, like fast food restaurants, will have to raise prices. More and more people will not be able to afford to get take-out food from restaurants that are known for their cheap prices. For instance Wendy’s, Chipotle, Starbucks, and other well-known places are hiking up their prices by 7 to 8%. This almost defeats the purpose of these restaurants when the total becomes similar to that of most sit-down restaurants.
People start to question the need for these places as it seems they are failing to provide a service for a decent price. But it is also justifiable to want to pay employees higher rates. This just goes to show the frustration from the consumers about the high pricing, and the reality of the higher cost of production with the increase in wages.
Senior Mika Kunhe claims, “It’s not going to stop me from getting my Starbucks every now and again, but it is annoying that the prices were even raised in the first place. They are already pretty high as it is.”
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