New study says California’s fast-food restaurants are shedding jobs

ktla ^ | 04/07/2025 | : Marc Sternfield

[BenLurkin]

New research published by Pepperdine University is attempting to settle the debate over whether boosting the minimum wage for fast-food workers in California to $20 an hour has cost jobs.

The study, released on April 1 to coincide with the one-year anniversary of AB 1228, cites recent data from the California Employment Development Department, showing a “significant” decline of over 23,100 jobs. At the same time, fast-food employment grew by 0.8% nationwide, researchers said.

The other outcome is that customers are paying more for their burgers, chicken strips, French fries and tacos than before. Many fast-food chains began raising prices when AB 1228 was signed into law and continued to do so after it took effect.

[RetiredTexasVet]

Not only are they shedding jobs but California is now in a Hantavirus pandemic. Panic people ... the real rats are going to get you if the politicians don’t get you first.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I have heard that the best way to get a minimum wage job is to purchase a Subway Sandwich franchise.

[central_va]

Some sarcasm but I know wealthy restaurant owners. Yeah they all bitch but they rake it in.

[Lean-Right]

Gen Z= instant gradification.
They haven’t the drive to
better themselve’s via “climbing
the ladder”
Most young today would scoff at the
jobs I’ve held in my 70 years
of working.
Retired now, and zero debt.

[Svartalfiar]

Deceitful article so must be all lies:

23k jobs lost vs 0.8% nationally. Why don’t they use the same units?

Because that would be honest.

Translation: higher wages is working so we have to lie about it.

You're not very good at math, are you? Sure, different units make a straight comparison difficult, but in what way does losing 23000 jobs compared to nationally gaining 0.8% mean the entity losing jobs is actually the better option? Higher wages is working, if you're trying to kill off restaurants!