Domestic Policy
Should Fast Food Workers Earn $20 Per Hour?
Should Fast Food Workers Earn $20 Per Hour?
Here’s The Scoop
California’s decision to implement a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers offers a complex picture, contrary to Governor Gavin Newsom’s glowing portrayal of the move.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that fast-food jobs in the state increased by 10,000 from March through May, adding nearly 21,000 jobs since January. Yet, these figures contrast sharply with the on-the-ground reality faced by business owners and employees alike.
Governor Newsom frames the wage hike as a win for working-class dignity and inclusion.
“The California spirit means working hard and being rewarded with a paycheck that meets your needs,” Newsom stated, tying the wage increase to broader values like family time and labor rights.
However, the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) presents a starkly different view.
According to CABIA president Tom Manzo, “If I was Gov. Newsom, I wouldn’t be proud of the lowest year-over-year fast-food employment growth we’ve seen in years.”
Manzo criticized Newsom for focusing on short-term gains while ignoring the long-term consequences.
Businesses are already feeling the pinch. The owner of a McDonald’s in San Francisco’s Stonestown Galleria recently closed shop, citing “economic headwinds” as the primary culprit.
Scott Rodrick, the franchise owner, noted, “Most restaurateurs are facing unprecedented challenges – fine dining, casual dining, independent or a brand franchisee like me – this critical California sector is struggling.”
The broader issues extend beyond fast food. Chains like Rubio’s Coastal Grill have had to shut down 48 of their 134 California locations due to rising operational costs.
Even larger players like Chipotle report surging expenditures, spending $2.9 billion on food, beverages, and packaging last year, up from $2.6 billion in 2022.
Despite the fanfare surrounding the wage increase, the operational strains on businesses cannot be ignored. California’s approach may offer short-term job growth, but at what cost? The bigger picture suggests an economic balancing act that is far from settled.
Governor Newsom’s optimistic rhetoric may resonate in political circles, but for business owners grappling with increased costs and economic uncertainty, the reality is far more challenging.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Mark T. Wayne
July 1, 2024 at 7:43 am
I suppose we could all stay home and become more self-sustainable.
Marty
July 1, 2024 at 9:25 am
Typical of the land of fruits and nuts. California gets what it keeps on voting fof.
Marty
July 1, 2024 at 9:26 am
That’s for. NOT fof.
KENNETH PEPLOWSKI
July 1, 2024 at 7:45 am
9o% of the workers in fast food DONT DO NOTHING but stand around and DO NOTHING.They can’t even count out change or get the order right and they want 20 dollars an hour? I DONT THINK SO.
Ledora Tighe
August 17, 2024 at 7:19 am
You are full of s..t! I worked in fast food for 6 years and am looking for a similar job since I was laid off. It’s darn hard work but no one sees part the windows or in the dining. We did and they do heavy cleaning. I mopped floors, cleaned bathrooms and washed all pans, grill and cooking equipment. Some was greasy and heavy. They have to clean the grill every night and dump used cooking oil. I had to restock cups, lids, napkins, cutlery, dipping sauces – you get the idea. They don’t get credit for work they do. Some stand around but they don’t last long. Know what you’re talking about before you speak
Ron C
July 1, 2024 at 9:39 am
They should make one hundred dollars an hour! After all I am already priced out of the fast-food market. I just prepare my own food at home or go hungry!
Gideon
July 1, 2024 at 10:42 am
Me 2
paper boy / fast food work was never intended to be a life long job! It was for High school kids to learn how to handle the work force!
RicK Zalewski
July 1, 2024 at 3:30 pm
The long term loss we face is “initiative”! Countless millions of teenagers started their working careers working as a lowly plebe at Mcd’s or some similar venture. What was learned was skills, how to work with others, how to how to put up with a boss, how to treat a customer, how to cook.clean,keep an inventory. But no matter what you did it helped establish a resume so that when you got tired of working for a boss that acted like they were still going through puberty or felt that you deserved something better you had knowledge of what you did and didn’t want and made friends and had soemvery memorable times to look back on. Kids making $20 per hour feel like they are still at home where they can get away with doing as little as possible and still live large.
Lee Tighe
August 17, 2024 at 7:35 am
I don’t agree with $20 but those that stay a year or more – j was there for 6 and would have stayed – should make $15. I’m older and supplementing SS since I’m alone. Wendy’s paid half my bills at $12 an hour. I started at $8.50. Minimum wage started going u. I could have used a little more money. About half aren’t teenagers. People have no clue about fast food jobs
Jim
July 1, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Remember when “Are you going to be flipping burgers for the rest of your life?” was a motivation speech (or to some an insult) and not a career choice?
Lee TigheT
August 17, 2024 at 7:45 am
Some become shift managers or general managers and it’s a decent job
Holtsys
July 1, 2024 at 5:24 pm
Fast food jobs were always intended to be entry-level jobs for teens and young adults to acclimate to the working world. Anyone who is still doing it in their 20’s and beyond basically have ZERO marketable skills, which is why no one will hire them. There is absolutely no need to pay a “living wage” for these jobs, except possibly to management.
What is going to happen and is happening is that businesses will start using kiosks for self-service to replace humans OR just shutdown altogether.
Lee TigheT
August 17, 2024 at 7:50 am
Again no clue. Senior citizens go back into jobs like that to supplement income. Not for a career. It doesn’t take a great amount of skill but it keeps seniors independent and feeling useful
Jerry C.
July 1, 2024 at 7:27 pm
Won’t be long now before the fast food industry starts pulling out of Commiefornia…
Dan Heartsill
July 1, 2024 at 8:11 pm
How many of us are willing to go to Mc Donalds and pay fifteen dollars for a burger,fries, and a drink. When Biden was saying the same nation wide one of the big burger chains said, that would be the end of us. That one will not be the only one. How many stupid changes can California make and not kill the state? I live in Texas and for the past several years around one hundred thousand have moved from California to Texas each year. how many business have to close before the government out there stops being stupid? The people need to learn not vote for these people.
Jack
July 3, 2024 at 11:20 am
Politics is violence. The use of force to make a minimum wage is immoral. Looting the consumers is criminal. Politicians like Newsom should be horse whipped and banished to North Korea where they belong with the commie/socialist acolytes of Satan.
KayCee
October 7, 2024 at 4:20 pm
And take Nan Pig and her insider trade deaks with him!
KayCee
October 7, 2024 at 4:20 pm
* deals
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