California Employment News: Overview of the Fast Food Minimum Wage Increase AB122
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On January 1, 2026, California’s state minimum wage will increase by 40 cents per hour, to $16.90 per hour. This adjustment is a 2.49% increase based on federal inflation data (the U.S. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage...more
In Walter Coleman, et al. v. Burger King Corp., No. 22-20925 (S.D. Fla.), a putative class of consumers from thirteen states alleges that Burger King’s advertising for items such as the Whopper materially exaggerates portion...more
It’s that time of year, folks—the dog days of August, when vacations are booked, beaches are crowded, and the Department of Finance menacingly recalculates California’s minimum wage. As instructed by statute, August 1st is...more
On April 8, 2025, the New York State Legislature took up Senate Bill S7289, which, if enacted, would amend the New York Labor Law (NYLL) by adding a new article 35-A, otherwise known as the “New York State Fast Food...more
In late 2023, California supersized the minimum wage for fast food workers by a whopping 25 percent (increasing it from $16 to $20). This law was opposed by the fast food industry, while labor unions (and their many friends...more
A.B. 1228 is a controversial law in California that went into effect on September 28, 2023, which we initially covered, and does two main things. First, it increased the minimum wage for employees of a “National Fast Food...more
Members of California’s Fast Food Council were not deterred by a chorus of franchise owners who gathered at a Jan. 23 meeting to object to plans for another minimum wage increase in the fast-food industry. Here’s the latest...more
On January 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Opinion Letter FLSA2025-1 pertaining to managers’ participation in a tip pool at a “quick service restaurant.” ...more
As we head into the new year, employers must continue to monitor minimum wages at the state and local level. California’s minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2025 to $16.50. In addition, the minimum wage will increase...more
On January 1, 2025, the California state minimum wage, excluding fast food industry employers and certain healthcare facilities, will increase from $16.00 per hour to $16.50 for employers of all sizes, reflecting a 3.1%...more
As we approach the holiday season and New Year’s Day, we wanted to provide employers with a brief update on what minimum wage requirements in California might be starting January 1, 2025. Proposition 32- Proposition 32 was...more
On July 2, 2024, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martínez and Katy Yaroslavsky introduced a motion to the City Council to expand the fair workweek predictable scheduling ordinance to fast-food workers. On September...more
Signing off on a busy legislative year, Governor Newsom just confirmed into law over a dozen bills from the California Legislature. As a result, many California employees will begin next year with new and enhanced rights...more
California’s newly established Fast Food Council was inundated at its September 12 meeting by competing testimony – organized labor on one side and restaurant groups on the other – about potential plans to raise the industry...more
In the highly competitive quick-service restaurant industry, fast-food chains are continually looking for an edge over their competitors. Some brands have found a way to distinguish themselves from other fast-food...more
When longtime resident Alma Joyce Jones heard that a national dollar store brand was coming near the Village of Bonita, Louisiana (population 164), she borrowed the words of Grammy-nominated country singer Jimmie Allen, “It’s...more
Get an overview of AB 1228's intricacies and its impact on fast-food workers, from wage increases to exemptions. Tomiwa Aina and Nikki Mahmoudi continue the discussion on the fast-food minimum wage increase in this...more
The California Department of Industrial Relations recently released its FAQs regarding the new fast food minimum wage law, AB 1228, which took effect on April 1, 2024. The legislation sets an industry-wide minimum wage for...more
On April 1, 2024, the new fast-food minimum wage took effect. At the end of March, California’s Labor Commissioner issued an FAQ regarding the new minimum wage. It includes the following sections: •Overview of the Minimum...more
On March 15, 2024, the newly appointed Fast Food Council (the “Council”) held its first public meeting in the State Building in Oakland. The Council was created as part of Assembly Bill 1228, the FAST Recovery Act....more
Effective April 1, 2024, a new California law will require employers in the state’s fast casual restaurant industry to pay covered non-exempt employees a minimum wage of $20 an hour. This article summarizes the steps...more
With California’s new $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast food workers set to take effect on April 1, 2024, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has updated its guidance regarding the new minimum wage law’s...more
On March 25, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 610 into law. AB 610 will exempt some businesses from needing to comply with the Fast Recovery Act....more
On March 26, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 610, which amends the definition of “fast food restaurant” to exempt restaurants in airports, hotels, event centers, theme parks, museums, and certain other...more
Beginning April 1, 2024, California's minimum wage for fast food employees will increase to $20 per hour. This change is the result of Governor Newsom signing AB1228 (also known as the Fast Food Franchisor Responsibility Act)...more