(DCNF)—California has lost thousands of fast food workers since a hefty minimum wage hike went into effect in early 2024, according to a recent analysis from the Employment Policies Institute (EPI), a conservative think tank.
The Golden State is estimated to have lost almost 14,000 fast food jobs since it implemented a minimum wage increase for fast food workers in April 2024, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data published Wednesday by the EPI. In September 2023, Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law raising the minimum wage for California’s fast food workers from $16 per hour to $20 per hour, which went into effect in April 2024.
“The minimum wage hike took effect just 11 months ago, and though we’re still in the early days the predictable pattern is already emerging pretty clearly: Facing a 25% hike in their labor costs, employers cut labor,” Will Swaim, president of the California Policy Center, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “They’ve laid off workers and replaced them with ATM-like kiosks to replace counter service, and even automating their kitchens and closing dining rooms or reducing their store hours. At the same time, owners are raising menu prices — and of course that falls most heavily on lower-income people, and that leads to less store traffic — and that kickstarts another round of layoffs.”
Compared to September 2023, there were 16,000 fewer fast food employees in September 2024 — six months after the minimum wage policy went into effect, according to BLS data cited by EPI.
After California’s fast food minimum wages increased, some fast food restaurants in the state reported experiencing less customer traffic as well as having to raise their menu prices, according to Fox News. Still, Newsom’s office has repeatedly lauded the fast food wage increases as having positive impacts on California’s workers and denied claims that the law has reduced the state’s fast food workforce.
Relatedly, the blue state is currently considering further raising its minimum wages for fast food workers.
Additionally, California has also seen a large number of its residents moving to other states in recent years, with many of them citing the high cost of living as the main factor for leaving. Notably, Newsom has been leading an effort to “Trump-proof” California in recent months in an attempt to safeguard his state’s liberal policies from President Donald Trump.
“Union leaders love to say that higher-fast food wages are essential because the cost of living in California is so high,” Swaim told the DCNF. “But the high cost of living is the problem. As a matter of policy, people in the fast food industry would be better served by eliminating the regulations that make everyday living more expensive. Instead of raising wages, the state could make things cheaper – eliminate barriers to new home construction, end regulations that make California gasoline, electricity and water the most expensive in the nation. Generally speaking, California’s high cost of living is self-inflicted, a product of bad policies backed by Democrats and unions.”
When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Newsom’s office referred the DCNF to two studies which stated that overall, the minimum wage hikes did not have negative impacts on fast food employment in California. One of the studies did not find evidence that the minimum wage increases had unintended consequences on staffing, while the other study cautioned against drawing a casual relationship between the policy and substantial negative employment effects and large price increases. Neither study addressed the Wednesday analysis of BLS data from the EPI.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
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As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.