California's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers goes into effect.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1228 into law in September, which not only mandates pay raises but also establishes a "Fast Food Council" comprising representatives for both workers and employers. This council has the authority to approve additional pay increases and set standards for working conditions.
California's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers goes into effect
4/2/2024
AD_SHOULD_BE_HERE
California's overall minimum wage for non-fast-food workers is $15.50 per hour, one of the highest in the country. In contrast, the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009, equivalent to $15,080 annually for a full-time employee.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for fast-food workers in the U.S. was $13.43 in 2022, while in California, it averaged $16.60. With the new minimum, fast-food workers in California can expect an annual salary of $41,600.
Advocates for workers' rights and labor unions have hailed the new law as a step forward, arguing that many fast-food workers are not teenagers starting their first job, as opponents suggest.
AD_SHOULD_BE_HERE
However, restaurant owners have expressed concerns that the higher wages will lead to job losses and increased prices for consumers. Several California food chains, including Pizza Hut, Southern California Pizza, Round Table Pizza, and Vitality Bowls, have announced layoffs following the law's enactment.
Trump: I want no more property taxes across the United States
7/4/2025 10:14 PMTrump's "Big, Beautiful" has $1.1 trillion in health cuts and 11.8 million losing care
7/3/2025 7:31 PMTrump’s Big, Beautiful bill passes the House
7/3/2025 7:27 PMGas prices haven’t been this low for the Fourth of July since 2021
7/3/2025 4:32 PM
Stay Updated
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest financial insights and news.
Unusual Whales does not confirm the information's truthfulness or accuracy of the associated references, data, and cannot verify any of the information. Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Options, investing, trading is risky, and losses are more expected than profits. Please do own research before investing. Please only subscribe after reading our full terms and understanding options and the market, and the inherent risks of trading. It is highly recommended not to trade on this, or any, information from Unusual Whales. Markets are risky, and you will likely lose some or all of your capital. Please check our terms for full details.
Any content on this site or related pages are not intended to provide legal, tax, investment or insurance advice. Unusual Whales Inc. is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any state securities regulatory authority. Nothing on Unusual Whales should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by Unusual Whales or any third party. Certain investment planning tools available on Unusual Whales may provide general investment education based on your input. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your legal or tax professional regarding your specific situation. See terms for more information.