

How California’s fast food wage hikes are changing the business
15 snips May 5, 2025
Saul Gonzales from the California Report podcast shares his expertise on California’s fast food wage transformation. With the minimum wage set to hit $20/hour by 2024, he discusses the ripple effects on the fast food industry and the economy. The conversation dives into the establishment of California's Fast Food Council and its unique approach to labor issues. Gonzales also explores how wage hikes influence worker satisfaction amidst rising living costs, touching on automation and public sentiment about these changes.
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California's Leading Wage Hike
- California's minimum wage for fast food workers jumped from $16 to $20 in 2024, leading the nation.
- The state uses a unique Fast Food Council to set industry wages and standards annually.
Fast Food Powers California Economy
- Fast food plays a huge economic role in California with about half a million workers daily.
- Major fast food chains like McDonald's and Carl's Jr. originated in California, embedding the industry deeply in its economy.
Unique Fast Food Council Model
- California uniquely established a Fast Food Council including workers, unions, and industry reps to regulate wages.
- This model is rare in the U.S., resembling European-style labor-management governance.