California Food Wage

5 bonbons from Denny's not-so-sweet quarterly update

By Peter Romeo on May 01, 2024

Traffic slumped, but the family-dining stalwart offered a few aha moments in its recount of what happened.

Chipotle raises menu prices in California up to 7%

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 24, 2024

California's AB1228 pushed the fast-casual chain's wage up 20% and menu price hikes will cover the cost. But with first-quarter traffic up more than 5%, Chipotle officials are not worried.

Operations

MOD Pizza shuttered 26 restaurants during the first quarter

By Lisa Jennings on Apr. 09, 2024

Five units were in California but the fast-food wage there was not to blame, the fast casual said. The closed restaurants in 10 states and the District of Columbia were "underperformers."

Premium

Financing

All eyes are now on California's fast-food restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 03, 2024

The Bottom Line: It’s not certain yet how the $20 wage will impact chain restaurants. But one thing is clear: Most of the companies affected are small businesses that are already facing profit challenges.

Premium

Financing

California throws a wrench into restaurants' value strategies

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 01, 2024

The Bottom Line: The restaurant industry has a traffic problem and consumers are fretting about prices. But the $20 fast-food wage in California makes it difficult to market any kind of value.

Workforce

Labor strife is still high as California's landmark fast-food wage law takes effect

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 29, 2024

With all the last-minute sniping by members, the next meeting of the Fast Food Council promises to be a doozy.

Workforce

Unsure how California's new fast-food wage-setting process will work? Here's a guide

By Peter Romeo on Mar. 21, 2024

With the changeover just days away, state officials have fleshed out what employers and their staffs should expect.

Operations

Calif. labor commissioner clarifies fast-food wage exemption

By Lisa Jennings on Mar. 18, 2024

An update last week attempts to address lingering questions about what companies would be impacted by the upcoming fast-food wage hike. It looks like Panera Bread is not exempt after all.

Workforce