And so it begins. California’s implementation of a landmark increase in minimum wage for fast-food workers from $16 to $20 takes hold today, and it’s far from an April Fools’ jest.

This is a long-debated and highly anticipated move against a backdrop of the state's ongoing economic challenges. 

From my proprietary research, the state of California has already been outpacing economic concerns. Throughout the first quarter of this year, 66% of consumers in California reported pulling back on going out due to high prices, and 69% said getting restaurant food delivered had gotten too expensive. This is compared to 63% and 64%, respectively, of consumers across the country at large.

Read the full article in Nation's Restaurant News here!