While this talks about fast food chains, there are the little restaurants that were also seriously impacted…
California’s fast food industry shed more than 6,000 jobs after Democratic lawmakers passed a bill mandating a $20 minimum wage for most fast food and counter service restaurants in the state, according to a new analysis of labor data.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that between September 2023, when California governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1228, and June 2024, Golden State fast food employment dropped from 570,909 jobs to 564,743. That’s a loss of 6,166 jobs, or 1.1 percent, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Employment Policies Institute.
Full article, HERE from National Review.
I don’t believe this takes into account the delivery drivers like the pizza companies and others let go.
Some of the chains closed stores in their entirety, like Inn-n-Out closing the last store in Oakland, but that was also due to crime, but others closed from a few to dozens of stores.
And this doesn’t count the small restaurants that have closed their doors, some over 30 years old, because they could not stay in business at $20/hr, especially in San Francisco, LA, and San Diego. I’m sure there were/are others in smaller towns that are doing the same thing, but they don’t get the media coverage.
The other thing this is doing is pushing more of the fast food companies to go to ‘bots’ or ‘order screens’ so that they can dump employees. Yes, those systems are expensive, but they don’t draw a salary, take time off, or fight with other employees/management.
But the ROI on them is fairly quick at $20/hr…
But what is the ‘human’ toll?
Kids no longer have an entry level job to ‘learn’ to work. And those ‘low income’ workers who WOULD take a fast food job to have a job. Where do they go now?
What about the elderly that take those jobs to supplement their social security? What do they do???
I know I don’t have any good ideas…
The only suggestion that springs to mind is for individuals to study what they do or know that can be a resource for others to pay them for and advertise their services. In other words – self starting Entrepreneurship.
Back in the 1980’s Pa subscribed to a few Industry (and I do mean Industry, not food service, retail, etc.) magazines. One had an ad that I still recall, for industrial robots. The ‘sell’ was simple:
“They punch in at under $1/hour and never punch out.”
Anyone running against Newsom should pound and pound and pound “Newsom’s Robot Employment Act” and go on about Newsom putting machines above people. Yeah, I know, there I go using logic…
Meanwhile high schools fail to teach basic life skills and colleges and universities continue to charge students exorbitant fees for degrees that have no value in the job market. We are creating a permanent under class.
I think that’s the point!
Minimum wage is a failed concept that needs to be eradicated from the workforce. But there are Unions that have contracts requiring wages to go up when minimum wage increases. They are partially behind the increases. Just another failed socialist plan.
We’re going to phuque you with “good” intentions, bad results. Just part of the “plan”. You’re welcome, the (((Blob)))
All- Thanks for the comments, some interesting ideas there.
Being older than dirt and not having a degree in computer science, I dislike order screens. Won’t do them. Just last night walked out of a Wendy’s. I feel the same way about self checkout.
I can’t change the world but I can vote my wallet.
Went inside to order at McD’s. Tried to use the new-fangled self-order screen. Gave up. Went to the counter. Waited forever for someone to notice they had a customer. Eventually ordered my food and got the distinct impression I was being a nuisance. The next time I wanted fast food, I used the drive thru. Got someone else’s meal. Sigh. Went back inside. Manager eventually waited on me and I could see where the underlings got their bad attitude. Robots are starting to sound like a good idea. Plus, they don’t cough on my fries while wearing a covid mask on their chin.
Fast food (and some others’) service mantra: “It would be so much simpler without customers.”
My experience with McD order machine/display and indifference at the counter is the same as yours. I have not been back since.
The problem is obvious, especially in places like Kommie Kalifornia. And the solution is simple. Augusto Pinochet led the way and showed us a solution that actually works.
WSF- Yeah, we can do that.
Robert- Ouch!
Dan- True…
It’s not just the PRC. A McDonald’s opened up in town about 2 years ago, $12 starting, $18+ for shift managers. There is a single register at the counter that isn’t really manned/monitored. They do, however, have 4 self-order kiosks. There are 2 speakers/menus for the drive through but only 1 person communicating. Despite the lower need for overhead I don’t think they’ve ever been fully staffed, especially in the early mornings. This is in a town of approximately 10k.
This is why I love Chik Fil A!