Several well-known fast-food chains, including Chipotle, McDonald's, Starbucks, Jack in the Box, and Shake Shack, are gearing up to increase menu prices in response to California's mandatory minimum wage hike for fast-food workers to $20 an hour, set to take effect on April 1st.
This impending change has spurred these chains to reassess their operational strategies to mitigate the impact of rising labor costs.
Consequently, customers should prepare for the likelihood of paying more for their meals. Meanwhile, smaller independent businesses are grappling with the challenge of retaining their employees and may find themselves needing to raise wages as well.
This wage increase, which applies to fast-food workers in chains boasting more than 60 locations nationwide, will result in substantial salary increases for many workers but also carries the potential for increased costs for consumers.