Economy
Debunking the Myths: California’s New Minimum Wage Law and Its Real Impact on Fast-Food Jobs
Last Updated on June 13, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Recently, a narrative has emerged in the media, suggesting that California’s new minimum wage law is devastating the fast-food industry, leading to massive job losses. However, this claim, largely propagated by the California Business and Industrial Alliance (CABIA) and certain conservative media outlets, fails to stand up to scrutiny. In fact, the data tells a very different story.
The Controversial Claim
CABIA placed a full-page ad in USA Today, asserting that nearly 10,000 fast-food jobs had been lost since Governor Gavin Newsom signed the minimum wage increase into law in September. The ad claimed that various fast-food chains were either cutting jobs or raising prices in response to the wage hike, which raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 from $16 starting April 1. Business lobbyist Tom Manzo pointed to these figures as evidence of the law’s negative impact.
The Reality Check
The truth, however, diverges significantly from these claims. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Federal Reserve, fast-food employment in California actually increased from September through January. Furthermore, employment continued to rise after January, reaching nearly 7,000 more jobs in April 2024 compared to April 2023.
Misleading Statistics and Misrepresentation
The source of the 10,000 job loss figure can be traced back to an article in the Wall Street Journal, which reported a 1.3% decline in fast-food employment between September and January. However, this figure was derived from non-seasonally adjusted data, which is problematic for tracking jobs in industries like fast-food that experience seasonal employment fluctuations. Seasonally adjusted data provides a more accurate picture and, when examined, does not support the claim of massive job losses.
The Broader Economic Context
It’s crucial to consider the broader economic landscape of the fast-food industry. While labor costs are certainly a significant expense, they are not the sole challenge facing these businesses. Inflation in food costs, for instance, has been a more pressing issue in recent years. For example, Chipotle Mexican Grill reported an increase in costs for food, beverages, and packaging from $2.6 billion in 2022 to $2.9 billion in 2023. Despite higher labor costs, Chipotle and other chains like El Pollo Loco have managed to maintain or even reduce their labor costs as a percentage of revenue.
The Rubio’s Coastal Grill Case
One notable case often cited in discussions about the minimum wage law is Rubio’s Coastal Grill, which closed 48 of its California locations. While rising operational costs were a factor, the primary driver behind these closures was the chain’s significant debt burden. Acquired by the private equity firm Mill Road Capital in 2010, Rubio’s faced mounting debt that led to its bankruptcy filing in 2020 and again in 2023. This high debt load, a common feature of private-equity takeovers, complicated the company’s path to profitability far more than the minimum wage increases.
The Real Impact
The claim that the new minimum wage law is costing jobs in the fast-food sector is not supported by the available data. Employment in California’s fast-food industry has actually grown, and the broader economic context suggests that other factors, such as food cost inflation and debt burdens from private equity ownership, play a more significant role in the financial health of these businesses.
In conclusion, while the fast-food industry does face challenges, the narrative that California’s minimum wage law is leading to massive job losses is a misleading one. It is important to rely on accurate, seasonally adjusted data and consider the full economic picture when evaluating the impact of such legislation.
Check out the article about the topic of California’s Minimum Wage law and the false narratives that have sprung up regarding it that was posted in the LA Times.
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Automotive
Gas prices have a $5 tipping point: New research shows when Americans start looking at EVs
Gas prices have a $5 tipping point: New research shows when Americans start looking at EVs
(Tiffany Miller for Hyundai) There is a moment at the gas pump when the number staring back at you stops feeling routine.
You expect the total to land somewhere familiar. And then, one day, it doesn’t. Not dramatically higher. Just high enough to feel different. Enough to make you pause before tapping your card.
According to new research from Hyundai Motor America, that moment is not hypothetical. For more than a third of American drivers, it has already happened. And for many, once it does, something shifts that does not quite shift back.
For 42% of Americans, pulling up to a pump now brings frustration or outright dread. Most have made peace with the routine, even if 39% describe their gas spend as “frustrating but expected.”
The experience at the pump hasn’t changed. The emotional weight of it has.
Most drivers have a number in their head where the math shifts. For 23% of those surveyed, $5 per gallon is where they would seriously start considering alternatives to a gas-powered vehicle. Not everyone will be moved by price, and 29% say they would not consider alternatives based on gas costs at all. But for a meaningful share of Americans, the tipping point is specific. It is a number on a sign, and many have seen it before.
More than one-third of Americans surveyed say a recent fill-up has already prompted them to research electric vehicles, and 23% say it has happened more than once.
What comes next is rarely dramatic. Some compare models or brands. Some search online. Some find themselves on an automaker’s website, further along than they expected to be. Most do not act on this impulse right away. But for a growing number, the pump is where the question starts.
The shift is real but uneven. If gas prices rose significantly and stayed high, 46% of those surveyed say they would be likely to seriously research an EV. Yet most Americans are still somewhere between curious and committed.
The pitch for electric vehicles is simple. Never stop for gas again. Nearly half of Americans say they would absolutely take that deal.
The transition is not frictionless. Charging access and range anxiety remain the top concern for 28% of potential buyers, and simple comfort with the status quo runs just as deep.
The desire to leave the pump behind is real. So is everything standing in the way.
The move toward electric vehicles is often framed as a long-term decision made with spreadsheets and incentive calculators, but for many Americans, it begins somewhere smaller. A routine fuel stop. A number that lands differently. A moment of hesitation before the receipt prints.
Methodology
Hyundai Motor America commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 1,000 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between April 3 and April 6, 2026.
Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (woman at gas pump)
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Hyundai
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News
Money Management: The Importance of Financial Literacy
You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action. When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
Last Updated on May 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Feature Impact) You may have mastered the core subjects like math and grammar in school, but financial literacy – or understanding the basics of money management in order to help you make better financial decisions – often goes overlooked before adulthood. It’s not so much a course of study as it is a plan of action.
Financial literacy in the United States has remained stagnant at generally low levels for several years, according to research from TIAA Institute and the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center, with even lower levels among Gen Z. Yet greater financial literacy – including key aspects such as goal-setting, budgeting, saving, credit management and investing – is strongly linked to better financial outcomes, including lower rates of debt constraint and financial fragility.
While emboldening yourself to understand financial terms can be a little overwhelming at first, once you have a grasp of basic concepts you can begin to get a handle on your money and make better financial decisions. Simply put: When you understand how to earn, save, spend and invest wisely, you aren’t just building a stable future for yourself, but your family and community as well.
From nonprofit partnerships to volunteer-led programs and fee online resources, Schwab and its employees help millions of people every year build the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their financial futures by serving as board members, mentors, role models and educators.
Because financial health is a lifelong journey, the earlier people learn vital money skills, the better. That’s why the financial advisory services provider develops education programs geared toward kids that continue into adulthood, helping people no matter where they are on their journeys.
Talk Money
It’s never too early to start a conversation about financial literacy. Having teens identify goals that are important to them – such as concert tickets or a first car – can kickstart coversations about money. Working with your child (and a financial advisor, if necessary) on a plan for saving to realize those goals can serve as a jumping off point. After achieving some success, their enthusiasm may grow, which is a powerful motivator to keep saving.
Support School Initiatives and Programs
Outreach programs that empower young people to make smart financial decisions is key to a bright future. Programs like Money Matters – Schwab’s flagship financial education program utilized by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America – gives young people hands-on experience with all aspects of money and investing.
This example, and others, don’t just include program funding – they build partnerships that create impact and opportunity with national collaborations that reach more than 17 million youth annually, empowering young people with the tools and confidence to make smart financial decisions for life.
Spread the Financial Love
Championing financial literacy empowers everyone – individuals, families and communities. By serving as a board member, mentor, role model or educator to help bring financial literacy to others in your community, you can supply the tools and knowledge to lead programs that focus on giving back, empowering future generations in countless ways.
To learn more about financial literacy and find resources to empower your local community, visit SchwabMoneywise.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Last Updated on May 9, 2026 by Daily News Staff
National Small Business Month
Every May, communities across the United States recognize Small Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the entrepreneurs, family-owned companies, startups, and local shops that help drive the American economy. From neighborhood restaurants to innovative tech startups, small businesses continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, supporting communities, and inspiring innovation.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for millions of jobs nationwide and represent the backbone of local economies. Throughout May, organizations, chambers of commerce, and business leaders host networking events, educational workshops, and promotional campaigns to support entrepreneurs and encourage consumers to shop locally.
One of the highlights of the month is National Small Business Week, which honors outstanding entrepreneurs and business owners making a difference in their communities.
For consumers, Small Business Month is also a reminder that supporting local businesses helps strengthen neighborhoods and keeps communities thriving. Whether it’s dining at a local café, shopping at an independent store, or hiring a local service provider, every purchase can make an impact.
Learn more about Small Business Month and related events through the official U.S. Small Business Administrationwebsite.
Related External Links
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- National Small Business Week – SBA
- SCORE – Mentoring and Resources for Small Businesses
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resources
- Forbes Small Business News and Insights
Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.
