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California Food Wage

Financing

All restaurants are pricey in California, not just fast food

 By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 08, 2025

The Bottom Line: The state’s fast-food wage hasn’t driven up prices at limited-service restaurants, at least compared with full-service chains. That doesn’t mean it’s not expensive there.

Financing

Is Chili's as cheap as McDonald's? It is in California

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 04, 2025

The Bottom Line: Data from Technomic’s Price Pulse shows that the average price for a medium Big Mac meal in California is about the same as the price for a Big Smasher on Chili’s 3-for-Me menu.

Workforce

Operators of LAX restaurants face a $30 hourly wage

By Peter Romeo on Dec. 10, 2024

A proposal slated to be considered by Los Angeles' City Council would mandate a similar raise over the next four years for some hotel workers.

Workforce

California's Fast Food Council wonders what the heck it's doing

By Peter Romeo on Sep. 12, 2024

The wage-setting body for the state's fast-food industry spent most of its third business session listening to employer and labor representatives make the case for their agendas. Yet very little actually got done.

Emerging Brands

Kevin Hart's plant-based restaurant Hart House abruptly shutters all locations

By Lisa Jennings on Sep. 11, 2024

The Los Angeles-based vegan fast-food chain had attempted to redesign the labor model with higher pay, generous benefits.

Financing

For Dutch Bros, California is just fine

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 09, 2024

The drive-thru coffee chain increased its store-level profitability last quarter, despite higher labor costs thanks to the state’s $20 fast-food wage.

Financing

California holds some surprises for Jack in the Box

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 07, 2024

Profitability for the burger chain and its sister concept, Del Taco, declined in the quarter, thanks to the state’s fast-food wage. But California was one of the company’s best sales markets.

Workforce

Second meeting of California's fast-food wage panel was long on griping, short on substance

By Peter Romeo on Aug. 01, 2024

Reality Check: Wages and other critical issues weren't addressed, with most of the three and a half hours focused on process and past wrongs.

Financing

California fast-food restaurants charge higher prices, get fewer customers

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 30, 2024

New data from Revenue Management Solutions shows that price increases at fast-food restaurants are increasing at more than twice the national average. And traffic reflects it.

Workforce

Labor advocates air the demands they'll push on California's fast-food restaurants

By Peter Romeo on Jul. 29, 2024

In addition to a 3.5% hike in the sector's minimum wage, union representatives say they'll press the state's new Fast Food Council for pay protections, predictive scheduling and a louder voice.

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