Business
MBA Career Strategies: How to Navigate Through the Challenges of the Fast Food Industry
Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes
Californians are opting to take their business elsewhere as fast food chains in the state continue to raise prices. Greg LaVay, a retired entrepreneur from San Diego, recently made the decision to switch to sit-down restaurants after noticing the increasing cost of hamburgers at fast food establishments.
According to recent reports, fast food and fast-casual restaurants in California have raised prices by about 10% overall since September, compared to a 5% increase in the U.S. as a whole. This price hike has been attributed to the minimum wage increase in California, prompting chains like Wendy’s and Chipotle to adjust their menu prices.
In response to the rising prices at big chains, customers are turning to smaller, independent eateries that are not affected by the higher labor costs. Individuals like Seth Amitin and John Matthews have chosen to dine at small neighborhood businesses where prices are lower and the impact of the minimum wage hike is minimal.
A spokesman for California Governor Gavin Newsom defended the wage increase, stating that fast food chains have the means to pay their workers more, as the additional wages will go towards basic necessities. This shift in consumer behavior, with customers moving away from big chains and towards smaller establishments, highlights a changing trend in response to price hikes in the fast food industry.
Overall, Californians are making conscious choices about where they spend their money in light of the rising costs at fast food chains. As more individuals opt for smaller eateries over big chains, the impact of the minimum wage hike on the fast food industry continues to unfold.