A Sonic employee in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-mexico" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Mexico</a> was arrested after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/cocaine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cocaine</a> was found on top of a customer’s hot dog.
According to police, Celine Gonzales <a href="https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/new-mexico-woman-finds-cocaine-on-sonic-hot-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> a bag of cocaine on a hot dog she had purchased at a Sonic restaurant in Española, New Mexico. Police verified that the substance in the bag was cocaine, which they said was found after the woman began to eat.
While investigating the cocaine, police arrested 54-year-old employee David Salazar on a felony cocaine possession charge. Footage viewed by police showed Salazar “frantically searching for something he lost” after making Gonzales’ order, police said.
Police said Salazar told them he had bought the cocaine in the restaurant’s parking lot.
“That’s kind of crazy,” a customer told local outlet KOB 4 after learning about the incident. “I just got an ice cream. I hope we’re good.”
“I think that’s pretty scary. We come here to get food for our families, and if a child found that it could have been pretty bad or deadly,” another customer said.
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Sonic is not the only fast food restaurant to be making the wrong kind of headlines recently, joining Arby’s after a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-investigating-suspicous-death-after-dead-body-found-in-arbys-freezer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dead body was found</a> in a walk-in freezer in Louisiana.
The body <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/body-found-in-new-iberia-arbys-freezer-identified/article_326388b4-f4da-11ed-80ed-df6385d8c9d1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">belonged</a> to 63-year-old Nguyet Le, a manager of an Arby’s restaurant in New Iberia, Louisiana, and the death is believed to have been an accident, according to police.
“A situation like this is unusual, so we’re taking extra precautions during the investigation,” New Iberia Police Captain Leland Laseter said. “[We] pretty much have completed our process at the crime scene. After completely processing the crime scene … this does not seem like a homicide, it seems like an accident.”
Laseter acknowledged that the death did seem “suspicious,” but said police had not yet uncovered any evidence of “foul play.” He added that “nothing is set in stone” and said that they were still waiting for medical examiners to determine the cause of death.
“We’re going to re-examine all the evidence tomorrow and they’re going to conduct an autopsy to give us the cause and manner of death. So there are a few more steps that we need to take before a [final] determination is made,” he said.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-investigating-suspicous-death-after-dead-body-found-in-arbys-freezer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Police Investigating ‘Suspicious Death’ After Dead Body Found In Arby’s Freezer</a>

Inspire Brands Inc To Acquire Sonic Restaurant Chain For $2.3 Billion

Sonic Employee Arrested After Cocaine Ends Up On Customer’s Hot Dog: Police

Sonic Employee Arrested After Cocaine Ends Up On Customer's Hot Dog: Police

Cocaine

Crime

Drugs

New Mexico

Restaurant

U.S.

Wendy’s announced on Thursday that the <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">company</a> will test a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/robots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">robotic</a> system to deliver orders underground from its kitchens to distinct parking spots outside of its <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restaurants</a>, a move which comes as the <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/food" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food</a> services sector turns toward automation in response to labor <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shortages</a>.
The firm will partner with hyperlogistics company Pipedream, which created a <a href="https://www.pipedreamlabs.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">system</a> through which entities such as restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, and warehouses can immediately transport goods to waiting customers in order to streamline digital pickups. The technology, which the company plans to implement in an existing location later this year, will connect to the kitchen and transport orders underground with a robot to portals in the parking lot outside of the restaurant.
&#8220;We know that serving orders quickly and accurately leads to increased customer satisfaction,&#8221; Wendy’s COO Deepak Ajmani said in a <a href="https://www.irwendys.com/news/news-details/2023/Wendys-Partners-with-Pipedream-to-Pilot-Industry-First-Underground-Delivery-System-for-Mobile-Orders/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>. &#8220;Pipedream&#8217;s Instant Pickup system has the potential to unlock greater mobile order speed of service and accuracy, enabling us to consistently deliver hot and fresh Wendy&#8217;s products to our fans.&#8221;
Wendy’s added that customers will not have to leave their cars in order to receive their food, significantly increasing efficiency for restaurant workers.
&#8220;We&#8217;re proud to partner with an iconic, innovative brand like Wendy&#8217;s to bring the future of mobile order pick-up to the quick service industry,&#8221; Pipedream CEO Garrett McCurrach said in the release. &#8220;By solving order handoff, the final leg of the digital experience, our Instant Pickup technology allows Wendy&#8217;s restaurant team members to focus on what matters: serving delicious, high-quality food and connecting with customers in this digital-first world.&#8221;
The move from Wendy’s comes as labor shortages persist after the lockdown-induced recession: there are nearly two open positions for every unemployed individual in the United States, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/charts/job-openings-and-labor-turnover/unemp-per-job-opening.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, increasing costs for businesses and contributing to inflation as companies hike wages to attract and retain employees.
Other quick service restaurants have turned toward artificial intelligence to increase operational efficiency in light of the worker shortages. Fast food chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/two-fast-food-chains-will-roll-out-ai-drive-thru-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> earlier this month that the brands would use an AI voice ordering platform developed by OpenCity in their drive-thru systems at select locations across the country, a move which is expected to increase “order accuracy” and cause “significant impact to labor efficiencies.”
Customers who arrive at drive-thru lines can place their orders through a “digital interaction” with the system before they pay an employee for their meal, likewise allowing workers to “focus more on providing better customer service and preparing timely and freshly made orders.”
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McDonald’s has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcdonalds-partners-with-ibm-to-automate-drive-thrus-as-labor-shortages-persist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partnered</a> with IBM to automate drive-thrus and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcdonalds-is-testing-voice-automated-drive-thrus-in-wake-of-15-minimum-wage-proposals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> voice-ordering technology at multiple Chicago restaurants two years ago after purchasing several AI startups, while Chipotle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-passed-a-new-minimum-wage-bill-now-chipotle-is-testing-a-robotic-chip-maker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> a robotic chip machine in California after state lawmakers passed a bill to create a council with authority to raise fast food minimum wages.
Broader debate over AI and automation largely centers on the potential labor market impacts from the nascent technology. Even as some analysts <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/colossal-share-of-american-jobs-could-be-replaced-by-ai-new-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forecast</a> that the sector could eliminate as many as 7% of positions in the United States, others note that the systems <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-how-much-more-efficient-ai-makes-the-average-worker-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">render</a> individual workers considerably more productive, implying avenues for economic growth and more opportunities for creative work as rote elements within many professions are automated.

Wendy’s Restaurant

Fast Food Chain Will Use Underground Robots To Deliver Orders In Parking Lot

Fast Food Chain Will Use Underground Robots To Deliver Orders

Artificial Intelligence

Business

Economy

Jobs

Robots

A dead body was found in an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arby’s</a> walk-in freezer in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana</a> this week, prompting an investigation from police. 
The body belonged to a manager of an Arby’s restaurant in New Iberia, Louisiana, and the death is believed to be an accident, according to police. The body was found around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. 
“So it was an employee that discovered the female deceased inside the cooler, [and] the deceased is an employee of the restaurant,” New Iberia Police Captain Leland Laseter, the head of criminal investigations, <a href="https://www.kadn.com/news/investigator-tells-news-15-body-found-in-new-iberia-arbys-freezer-was-woman-employee-death/article_d18e8d96-f087-11ed-959d-637ff39f180a.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> KADN News 15.
“A situation like this is unusual, so we’re taking extra precautions during the investigation,&#8221; Laseter added. &#8220;[We] pretty much have completed our process at the crime scene. After completely processing the crime scene &#8230; this does not seem like a homicide, it seems like an accident.”
Laseter acknowledged that the death did seem “suspicious” but said police had not yet uncovered any evidence of “foul play.” He added that “nothing is set in stone” and said that they were still waiting for medical examiners to determine the cause of death. 
“We&#8217;re going to re-examine all the evidence tomorrow and they&#8217;re going to conduct an autopsy to give us the cause and manner of death. So there are a few more steps that we need to take before a [final] determination is made,” he said. 
The woman’s name has not yet been released. 
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Arby’s responded to the news by releasing a <a href="https://www.wafb.com/2023/05/12/body-found-freezer-new-iberia-arbys-was-employee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> saying that it would be cooperating with police and deferring any comment to investigators. 
“We are aware of the incident that took place at our franchised location in New Iberia, LA,” the statement said. &#8220;The franchisee is cooperating fully with local authorities as they conduct their investigation. Due to this being an active investigation, we defer any further comment to the police department.&#8221;
New Iberia, a city of around 28,000, is located in the southern portion of the state, not far from Lafayette. 
Last year, an Arby’s in Washington also earned unwanted attention after police said that they discovered videos of a night manager urinating in in milkshake mix. Police were investigating the man on suspicion of obtaining and distributing child pornography. 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/police-investigating-arbys-manager-for-child-porn-find-video-of-him-peeing-in-milkshake-mix" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Police Investigating Arby’s Manager For Child Porn Find Video Of Him Peeing In Milkshake Mix</a>

An Arby’s Restaurant In Dawsonville, Georgia

Police Investigating ‘Suspicious Death’ After Dead Body Found In Arby’s Freezer

Death

Louisiana

CKE Restaurants, the company which controls <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fast food</a> chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, announced on Thursday that the <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brands</a> would use <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">artificial intelligence</a> in their drive-thru systems at select locations across the country.
Leading corporations and investors have poured considerable funds into developing AI tools meant for consumer products and business solutions in recent months. The two brands will incorporate Tori, an AI voice ordering platform created by OpenCity, to increase “order accuracy” and create a “significant impact to labor efficiencies,” according to a <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cke-restaurants-deploys-opencitys-game-changing-ai-tori-to-revolutionize-the-drive-thru-experience-301816176.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press release</a>.
&#8220;The implementation of OpenCity&#8217;s AI technology at our drive-thru&#8217;s has significantly benefited our business by enhancing the speed and accuracy of order processing, resulting in reduced wait times for customers and increased efficiency for our staff,&#8221; CKE Restaurants CTO Phil Crawford said. &#8220;The AI technology has transformed our drive-thru experience, providing us with a competitive edge in the market and helping us to better serve our guests.&#8221;
Customers who arrive at drive-thru lines can place their orders through a “digital interaction” with Tori before they pay an employee for their meal, thereby allowing associates to “focus more on providing better customer service and preparing timely and freshly made orders.”
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s are two of several fast food restaurants to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/more-fast-food-chains-invest-in-automation-amid-labor-shortages-minimum-wage-increases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pivot</a> toward increased automation. McDonald’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcdonalds-partners-with-ibm-to-automate-drive-thrus-as-labor-shortages-persist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partnered</a> with IBM to automate drive-thrus and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mcdonalds-is-testing-voice-automated-drive-thrus-in-wake-of-15-minimum-wage-proposals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unveiled</a> voice-ordering technology at multiple Chicago restaurants two years ago after purchasing several AI startups, while Chipotle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-passed-a-new-minimum-wage-bill-now-chipotle-is-testing-a-robotic-chip-maker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> a robotic chip machine in California after the state passed a law to create a council with authority to raise fast food minimum wages.
The trend occurs as labor shortages persist well after the lockdown-induced recession: there are currently nearly two open positions for every unemployed worker in the United States, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/charts/job-openings-and-labor-turnover/unemp-per-job-opening.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released two months ago, increasing operational expenses for businesses and contributing to broader inflationary pressures.
Tori integrates with existing point-of-sale and headset technology at restaurants to take orders with “zero wait time,” according to a <a href="https://www.opencity.co/#tori" target="_blank" rel="noopener">webpage</a> from OpenCity. The AI platform can also offer personalized recommendations to increase the average revenue per order.
High Noon Restaurant Group, a franchisee for Popeyes based in Louisiana, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/opencitys-conversational-voice-ai-tori-forever-changes-the-drive-thru-experience-301533253.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deployed</a> the system last year, resulting in a 20% faster speed of service and a 20% increase in satisfaction.
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The rush for companies to implement AI solutions into their products and services accelerated when ChatGPT, a mass-market AI chatbot capable of writing computer code and emails in a matter of seconds, rapidly gained popularity across the world. Microsoft, which invested billions of dollars into ChatGPT creator OpenAI, announced that the system would be <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/microsoft-unveils-new-version-of-bing-powered-by-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">incorporated</a> into search engine Bing and internet browser Edge, while Google <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/google-search-will-soon-receive-ai-upgrade-as-company-scrambles-to-release-chatgpt-competitor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> that Bard, an experimental conversational AI service, would soon be added to the company’s search engine.
Some analysts have raised concerns about possible widespread technological employment even as the novel AI applications create productivity increases for workers and businesses. One recent <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/colossal-share-of-american-jobs-could-be-replaced-by-ai-new-report-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forecast</a> from Goldman Sachs predicted that AI could eliminate 7% of positions in the United States, largely in sectors that rely upon office work such as administrative support and legal, while positions in sectors such as building and grounds maintenance, construction, logistics, and healthcare support are predicted to remain broadly intact.

Carl’s Jr

Two Fast Food Chains Will Roll Out AI Drive-Thru Technology

Two Fast Food Chains Will Implement AI Drive-Thru Technology

Food

Technology

A viral TikTok video of Americans at a Southern California restaurant standing up during the restaurant’s daily playing of the national anthem catalyzed some apparent foreigners and leftists to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12038569/Social-media-users-left-horrified-SoCal-restaurants-dystopian-playing-National-Anthem.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">freak out</a> on social media.
The Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook, California, located roughly 50 miles northeast of San Diego, has played the Star Spangled Banner on its television every day at noon for six years. A 14-second TikTok video from an account titled “Paulina” showing patrons standing with their hands on their hearts elicited supposed shock from “Paulina” and other social media users.
“By far the most dangerous situation I&#8217;ve ever been in,” the account wrote, using the hashtags “godblessamerica,” “getout,” “illegal,” and “whitepeoplethings.”
Comments left on the video included: &#8220;Serious question, Is this real? Like people actually do this in real everyday life,&#8221; &#8220;I want to go to America to experience the insanity so badly,&#8221; &#8220;America is so scary you would never see this in the UK,&#8221; &#8220;In Spain we don’t hear the national anthem that much. So this would freak me out so much,&#8221; &#8220;This happened when i was at mission bbq once and it was so awkward that i haven’t been back since,&#8221; &#8220;As someone from the uk this feels so dystopian,&#8221; &#8220;This feels like a horror movie,&#8221; &#8220;As a Canadian this is kind of insane,&#8221; &#8220;I would be scared for my life,&#8221; and &#8220;I swear I’d burst out laughing if it wasn’t so scary.&#8221;
Some comments below the video had quite a different reaction.
&#8220;Wonderful! If I&#8217;m ever in that locality, I&#8217;ll make sure I stop by and eat something there. I&#8217;m an immigrant to the wonderful USA and I love this country. For all those that feel &#8220;scared&#8221; or &#8220;terrified&#8221; by this act of patriotism, I invite you to leave the USA and go live somewhere else! Viva the USA!!!!!!&#8221; one person said.
&#8220;For all of the people who do not understand this. It isn&#8217;t about declaring loyalty to the government or military. It is about showing love to a certain culture and community, one we are losing every day. It is about loving your neighbor and your ancestors and honoring the sacrifices made at all levels,&#8221; another added.
One person said that they would be intentionally visiting the restaurant to support, while other comments included: &#8220;Love it! Beautiful show of patriotism,&#8221; &#8220;Great food and yes very patriotic. The staff treats everyone very well. Breakfast there is one of the best in North County,&#8221; and &#8220;Love this. Would like to see more restaurants do it.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook plays the National Anthem daily at Noon" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKOfEfmrPY4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Silhouette Of A Solider Saluting Against US Flag at Sunrise

‘Feels Like A Horror Movie’: Viral Video Of Americans Standing For Anthem In Restaurant Freaks Out Foreigners, Leftists

California

National Anthem

TikTok

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chipotle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chipotle</a> agreed to offer $240,000 in back pay and forward pay to employees at a location in Augusta, Maine, which was shuttered last year after workers attempted to <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/labor-unions?_gl=1*1msw7jf*_ga*NzUzNDA5ODIxLjE2NzkzMjkzNzM.*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTY4MDAwOTI2My4zMC4xLjE2ODAwMjU2NzguNjAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unionize</a>.
The burrito <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restaurant</a> chain agreed to the settlement, which will amount to between $5,800 and $21,000 for each affected worker, while continuing to deny all wrongdoing in association with the closure of the location in July. The National Labor Relations Board filed a complaint in November asserting that the closure was meant to prevent the unionization efforts, while Chipotle said that the closure was a response to staffing difficulties.
“We settled this case not because we did anything wrong, but because the time, energy and cost to litigate would have far outweighed the settlement agreement,” the firm said in a Monday statement. “We respect our employees’ rights to organize under the National Labor Relations Act.”
Chipotle United remarked in a <a href="https://twitter.com/1ChipotleUnited/status/1640395358143406080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> that the company embarked on an “illegal closure of our store and retaliation against our union members.” The settlement will also permit any Chipotle employee impacted by the shuttering of the store to preferentially apply for work at another Chipotle location in the area for the next three months.
“This settlement is a huge win. Chipotle just got put on notice,” the group commented. “Union busting will not be tolerated and there&#8217;s no way around it.”
Chipotle United linked the settlement to the recent departure of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who some lawmakers wanted to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee about unionization efforts within the coffee restaurant chain. Nearly 300 Starbucks locations <a href="https://sbworkersunited.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">elected</a> to form labor unions over the past two years, while Starbucks office workers recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/making-our-lives-more-difficult-starbucks-office-staff-revolt-as-company-makes-them-show-up-three-days-per-week" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> for executives to “respect federal labor laws” after they were told to return to physical office spaces at least three times per week.
Beyond the food services sector, other industries have faced pressure from unions in recent months: Southwest Airlines pilots <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/southwest-pilots-announce-they-may-go-on-strike-one-month-after-airlines-nationwide-meltdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">threatened</a> to strike in May over contract negotiations and the nationwide travel meltdown last year, while members of the New York State Nurses Association <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/thousands-of-nurses-at-two-new-york-city-hospitals-go-on-strike" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went</a> on strike at several hospitals in New York City earlier this year and Congress was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-passes-legislation-to-avoid-a-nationwide-rail-strike-bernie-sanders-intends-to-block-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forced</a> to intervene in deliberations between rail companies and labor unions.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) meanwhile signed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/michigan-repeals-right-to-work-law-in-major-victory-for-unions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">measures</a> last week to repeal the state’s right-to-work laws, the first time such statutes have been overturned in several decades. Unions had lost more than 143,000 members since the laws entered into effect in 2012, according to an <a href="https://www.mackinac.org/pressroom/2022/more-than-140000-michiganders-have-left-their-unions-since-2012" target="_blank" rel="noopener">analysis</a> from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, with some unions losing as much as two-thirds of their membership.
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Chipotle recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-passed-a-new-minimum-wage-bill-now-chipotle-is-testing-a-robotic-chip-maker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> a robotic chip machine in southern California after the state passed legislation to create a council with the authority to raise fast food minimum wages to as high as $22 per hour, an increase of over 40% from the $15.50 per hour minimum wages which took effect this year. “We are always exploring opportunities to enhance our employee and guest experience,” Chipotle Chief Technology Officer Curt Garner said last year.

Chipotle

Chipotle Must Pay $240,000 To Employees After They Shut Down Restaurant That Tried To Unionize

Chipotle Must Pay Large Sum To Employees After They Shut Down Restaurant That Tried To Unionize

Labor Unions

What is conservatism? Ask 10 people and you’ll get 10 different answers. In our confused American moment, knowing what conservatism is and what it isn’t will help us find clarity, invite sanity back into the public square, and give us a better chance to cure what ills our United States.
If you’re hungry as you read this, all the better. Because I’m not here to lecture you on the definition of conservatism. I’m inviting you to actually taste it. On a recent road trip to California, I stopped for dinner at the most northern In-N-Out Burger restaurant in America in Keizer, Oregon. As I ate, I realized I was experiencing a living, breathing, intensely popular American conservatism in action. It wasn’t just a meal – it was a primer in what it looks like to conserve worthy goals, methods, and values. Order some food, pull up a chair, and let me show you how.
First, In-N-Out Burger conserves worthy goals. When Harry and Esther Snyder created the first In-N-Out Burger in 1948, they combined the innovative new idea of a drive-thru with the old-fashioned ideas of superior quality and service. In doing this they were catering to two conditions American thinker Russell Kirk considers necessary for the healthy functioning of any society: the impulse to improve as well as the impulse to conserve. In-N-Out’s singular priority has always been the customer. New managers receive consistent training in this philosophy at the company’s headquarters, ensuring that all 385 In-N-Out locations have the same goal: a satisfying dining experience for every customer.
To that end, one of the first things you notice about In-N-Out restaurants is a clean, bright, inviting environment outside and inside. The second thing you notice is a simple, straightforward menu. There’s no reason for decision fatigue and little possibility that the number of your favorite combo has changed since your last visit.
You’ll also notice the friendliness and helpfulness of the associates. Dressed to impress in distinctive red and white, team members demonstrate unity in their uniform appearance. You won’t be distracted by statement-making t-shirts, inappropriate tattoos, or unkempt hair, for example. You’re also highly likely to enjoy a smile when you step up to the counter, as well as when you’re served your food and perhaps even during your meal. In today’s screen-saturated age, good customer service has become somewhat of a rarity, so it’s especially appealing to interact with young workers who have an attitude of gratefulness and cheerfulness as they go about their work.
While other fast food restaurants may have sacrificed superior quality and service in the name of profits, In-N-Out Burger leads the way in conserving those goals. It’s one reason they were <a href="https://www.rd.com/article/best-fast-food-burger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted makers of &#8216;the best fast-food burger in America&#8217;</a> in a 2022 restaurant survey, leading in almost every category including food quality, staff friendliness, cleanliness, atmosphere, and healthy food options.
The second thing In-N-Out Burger successfully conserves are worthy methods. While some competitors perfect their fries in a science lab and take advantage of the latest artificial methods of cooking and processing, In-N-Out takes pride in being different. Burgers are made from fresh beef. Buns are made the old-fashioned way from real sponge dough with no preservatives. Associates hand-leaf lettuce every day and cook fries the same way they did in the 1940s: with fresh potatoes in 100% sunflower oil.
In-N-Out Burger is so committed to freshness, they won’t build a restaurant more than a day’s journey away from their own family-owned facilities. And being conservative does not have to mean being tone-deaf to current needs. For example, many restaurants today find ways to cater to common allergens, and In-N-Out Burger is no exception. Those with a gluten sensitivity, or who wish to reduce the overall calories of their meal, can order their burger “protein-style” – sandwiched between fresh leaves of lettuce.
In-N-Out’s embrace of traditional methods is not a lack of imagination or an unwillingness to keep up with modernity. It’s merely the recognition that these traditional techniques of making food are, in fact, the best ways.
A third thing In-N-Out Burger conserves are good values. Underneath their cups, fry boats, and wrappers, the company prints scripture references. Not the whole text of verses — simply the book, chapter, and verse. On the soda cup you’ll find John 3:16: “For God so loved the world…” On the wrapper for their famous Double-Double burger, you’ll notice Nahum 1:7 and the reminder that the Lord is “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” The subtle family touch began in the 1980s with Richard Snyder, son of the founders, and has been expanded by granddaughter and current CEO Lynsi Snyder.
The practice is a nod to the Judeo-Christian faith tradition that undergirds America’s founding. It’s a rare acknowledgment from a successful American company that there’s something even greater than profit or even a tasty hamburger, something we can trust even in difficult or confused times. Conservatism has been described as an inclination to cherish the permanent things. Timeless Bible verses printed on disposable cups and wrappers bound for the garbage can are a small but effective reminder of such lasting ideas. They remind us that the grass withers and the flowers fade, but some things endure.
In today’s charged political climate, the definition of conservatism is up for grabs. “What do self-described conservatives stand for in 2023?” asks NPR in a recent headline, while Bloomberg declares “American and British Conservatives Are Frozen in Failure.” Although many of our political and cultural battles are rooted in the current moment, conservatism calls us to go deeper: to be stewards of our inheritance and builders of a better future. With its conservation of worthy goals, methods, and values, In-N-Out Burger shows us what a vibrant American conservatism looks like, and it’s delicious!
Andrew McDiarmid is a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute. His writing has recently appeared in The New York Post, Houston Chronicle, RealClearPolitics and The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at @AMcDiarmid and read more of his work at www.andrewmcdiarmid.org.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Hollywood Exteriors And Landmarks – 2021

Why In-N-Out Burger Is What Vibrant Conservatism Tastes Like

Conservatism

Judeo-Christian Values

Readers Pass

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/starbucks?_gl=1*98sfg7*_ga*OTAwNTI1NTYwLjE2MTM5NzIxMzI.*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTY2MTc5MTQ5My4xMTg2LjEuMTY2MTc5MjE2NC4yNi4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Starbucks</a> will increase the number of loyalty points necessary to enjoy free <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/food" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drinks and snacks</a> next week as the <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">company</a> battles persistent <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflation</a>.
Enthusiasts of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restaurant</a> chain will have to spend more in order to reap the same amount of benefits for most items in the popular Starbucks Rewards loyalty program. The alterations constitute an effort to “better align the cost of product redemptions to our current pricing,” Starbucks CMO Brady Brewer remarked during a recent <a href="https://s22.q4cdn.com/869488222/files/doc_financials/2023/q1/SBUXQ12023EarningsCall.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earnings call</a>.
“By making that change, it will create discount efficiency which helps us to continue to grow the program while effectively managing margin,” he told investors.
Starbucks Rewards participants can <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/rewards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">redeem</a> a brewed hot coffee, bakery item, or hot tea for 50 stars; a handcrafted drink, hot breakfast, or parfait for 150 stars; a lunch sandwich, protein box, or salad for 200 stars; and select merchandise or at-home coffee for 400 stars. The items available at the 50-star tier will soon be <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/rewards/terms-coming-soon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">available</a> at 100 stars, while the items available at the 150-star and 200-star tiers will become available at 200 stars and 300 stars.
On the other hand, the redemption value of iced coffee and iced tea products will decrease from 150 stars to 100 stars, while packaged coffee will decrease from 400 stars to 300 stars.
The changes occur months after prices for the Pumpkin Spice Latte, one of the brand’s most popular seasonal items, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pumpkin-price-latte-cost-of-starbucks-popular-fall-drink-rises-due-to-inflation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> some 4% from the previous autumn. Coffee prices in the United States have more generally increased 14.3% between December 2021 and December 2022, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t02.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while prices for roasted coffee and instant coffee have risen 15.5% and 10.8%, respectively.
Overall food inflation reached 10.4% as of two months ago, considerably exceeding the 6.5% headline inflation rate. Food away from home, a cost category that includes spending at restaurants, increased 8.3% over the same period.
Restaurants have also languished under historically low labor force participation, which has prompted executives to raise wages and pass increased costs onto consumers. There are currently two open positions in the labor market for every one unemployed individual, according to more <a href="https://www.bls.gov/charts/job-openings-and-labor-turnover/unemp-per-job-opening.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Several national fast-food chains have started efforts to automate restaurant operations as the persistent labor shortages continue to disadvantage employers in the job market. McDonald’s recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-real-minimum-wage-is-zero-mcdonalds-restaurant-uses-automation-for-pickups-and-orders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">created</a> a test restaurant in Texas in which customers can use kiosks and a mobile app to grab their orders from a conveyor belt rather than interacting with staff, while Chipotle <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/california-passed-a-new-minimum-wage-bill-now-chipotle-is-testing-a-robotic-chip-maker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tested</a> a robotic chip maker at a California location.
Starbucks and other restaurant chains are likewise contending with <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/america-has-become-unsafe-starbucks-ceo-rips-politicians-in-decaying-cities-after-closing-16-urban-stores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">disturbances</a> from increased levels of crime and homelessness in their urban locations. The company said last year that it would close locations in cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, and Philadelphia amid the safety issues. “It has shocked me that one of the primary concerns that our retail partners have is their own personal safety,” Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told employees in leaked footage. “And then we heard the stories that go along with it about what happens in our bathrooms, the issue of mental illness, the issue of homelessness, and the issue of crime.”

Starbucks.

Bean Counting: Starbucks Rewards Demands More Points For Free Drinks Due To Inflation

Starbucks Rewards Demands More Points For Free Drinks

Inflation

Starbucks

A <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a> court froze a law that would create a board permitted to increase <a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/minimum-wage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum wages</a> received by fast food workers until signatures against the measure can be counted.
The Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, also known as the FAST Recovery Act, would <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/should-raise-alarm-bells-across-the-country-california-paves-road-to-40-minimum-wage-increases-for-certain-restaurants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">establish</a> a “Fast Food Council” responsible for drafting “sectorwide minimum standards on wages, working hours, and other working conditions,” according to a <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB257" target="_blank" rel="noopener">summary</a> of the legislation. After granting a temporary hold on the law, the Sacramento Superior Court agreed to bar enforcement of the measure until petition signatures are examined.
“Today’s Court decision protects the rights of over one million California voters who demanded their say on this law before bearing its burden,” Save Local Restaurants, which has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/restaurant-groups-say-they-have-filed-over-1-million-signatures-to-pause-california-fast-food-worker-law-put-on-2024-ballot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collected</a> more than one million signatures to place the FAST Recovery Act on statewide ballots in the 2024 election, said in a <a href="https://savelocalrestaurants.com/california-court-upholds-rule-of-law-freezes-ab-257-until-voters-have-a-say/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “We appreciate the Court upholding the state’s 100-year-old referendum process as well as the well-established legal precedent that ensures California voters are able to consider the laws passed by their legislature.”
The legislation would only apply to restaurant chains with 100 or more locations across the United States, though a carveout exists for franchises operating a bakery that “produces for sale bread as a stand-alone menu item.” Members of the Fast Food Council created by the legislation would be permitted to raise minimum wages to $22 per hour, representing an increase of over 40% from the $15.50 minimum wage in California.
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who signed the legislation last year, would be permitted to appoint eight of the 10 members of the Fast Food Council. The law was supported by the powerful Service Employees International Union, which <a href="https://www.seiu1021.org/post/fast-food-workers-rally-capital-building-support-ab-257-fast-recovery-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asserts</a> that the statute will “increase corporate accountability” across the industry.
A <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220826005426/en/83-Percent-of-Surveyed-Economists-Oppose-FAST-Recovery-Act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poll</a> of labor economists by the Employment Policies Institute, a fiscally conservative think tank, found that 83% oppose the FAST Recovery Act; another <a href="https://www.franchise.org/media-center/press-releases/new-polling-shows-less-than-one-third-of-californians-support-ab-257" target="_blank" rel="noopener">survey</a> from the International Franchise Association revealed that a mere 32% of Californians support the law. “All signs are telling legislators to reject this bill,” International Franchise Association CEO Matt Haller said in a statement. “Voters don’t want it, consumers don’t want higher prices, and franchisees don’t want corporations being forced to take over their businesses.”
McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger, another opponent of the bill, previously contended that the law arbitrarily imposes “higher costs on one type of restaurant, while sparing another” and said that “backroom politicking” could demystify the carveout for restaurants with a bakery. “If you are a small business owner running two restaurants that are part of a national chain, like McDonald’s, you can be targeted by the bill,” he wrote in a <a href="https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/en-us/our-stories/article/ourstories.leaders-california.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">letter</a> denouncing the bill. “But if you own 20 restaurants that are not part of a large chain, the bill does not apply to you.”
Legal battles over the FAST Recovery Act occur after some 30% of California restaurants permanently closed their doors as a result of the lockdown-induced recession, according to <a href="https://www.senate.ca.gov/sites/senate.ca.gov/files/briefing_paper_restaurant_industry_recovery_hearing_finalpdf.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the California State Senate. Newsom led one of the most severe lockdown regimes in the nation three years ago and only recently <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/newsom-to-end-covid-emergency-declaration-next-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reversed</a> many of his emergency orders.

Fries

California Court Freezes Controversial Fast Food Minimum Wage Law

California's Controversial Fast Food Law Will Not Enter Into Effect For Now, Court Orders

Courts

Minimum Wage

Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that iconic California fast food chain In-N-Out Burger has decided to place its first corporate hub in the Volunteer State.
&#8220;In-N-Out Burger is a great family business that has been operating for decades in this country, with a value system and a way of serving their customers that lines up just right here in Tennessee,&#8221; Lee said in a tweet. &#8220;It means a lot of opportunity and a lot of jobs for a lot of Tennesseans.&#8221;
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Breaking News — Welcome to Tennessee, <a href="https://twitter.com/innoutburger?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@innoutburger</a>! <a href="https://t.co/hZCsRth1Sr">pic.twitter.com/hZCsRth1Sr</a>
&mdash; Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovBillLee/status/1612849632870125570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Lee did not disclose where the corporate headquarters would be located. However, local media <a href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/in-n-out-burger-making-its-way-to-middle-tennessee">reported</a> Williamson County would be home to the burger chain&#8217;s eastern hub, which plans to invest millions into its first expansion east of Texas.
&#8220;This expansion is significant for our company,&#8221; In-N-Out owner and president Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson told local media. &#8220;For many years, we&#8217;ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we&#8217;ve ever been.&#8221;
&#8220;Our customers are our most important asset at In-N-Out, and we very much look forward to serving them in years to come and becoming part of the wonderful communities in the Volunteer State,&#8221; Snyder-Ellingson added.
The chain is expected to create more than 270 jobs in the county.
In-N-Out plans to open its doors to Tennesseans by 2026, starting with locations in the Nashville area.
Harry Snyder introduced the burger chain in California in 1948 with a drive-thru hamburger stand in a space in Los Angeles County that was approximately 10 square feet.
The Snyder family comes from a Christian background, leading the company decades ago to place Bible verses on some of its packages, including &#8220;John 3:16&#8221; on its soda cups.
In-N-Out Burger&#8217;s owner told <a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/in-n-out-billionaire-lynsi-snyder-on-spiritual-warfare-desire-to-be-plugged-in-to-gods-plan.html">The Christian Post</a> in 2019 about her family&#8217;s Christian faith, explaining why the company shares Bible verses on its product.
&#8220;It was my Uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and wrappers in the early &#8217;90s, just before he passed away,&#8221; Snyder-Ellingson told The Christian Post. &#8220;He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand.&#8221;
She told the faith outlet that she strives to &#8220;maintain what we&#8217;ve started with: Not compromising the quality of product, service, or standards.&#8221;

In-n-Out Burger in Badwin Park for

Iconic California Chain ‘In-N-Out Burger’ Opening New Corporate Hub In Tennessee

Iconic California Chain 'In-N-Out Burger' Opening New Corporate Hub In Tennessee

Bill Lee

Tennessee

James &#8220;Buster&#8221; Corley, one of the co-founders of Dave &amp; Buster&#8217;s, died this week on his birthday. He was 72 years old.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dallas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas</a> Police said that Corley died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday after being rushed to the hospital.
Corley&#8217;s daughter, Kate Corley, <a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/james-buster-corley-co-founder-of-dave-busters-dead/287-34514287-3f06-4df1-b06e-ca2b9e1d3a3b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that her father had suffered &#8220;a stroke four months ago that caused severe damage to the communication and personality part of his brain.&#8221;
Dave &amp; Busters said in a statement that Corley was an “innovative and creative force” in his role at the entertainment chain, which provides a unique experience by combining a restaurant with an extensive number of arcade games.
“His pioneering spirit and steadfast belief that ‘everybody is somebody’ set the foundation for bringing food and games to millions of Dave &amp; Buster’s guests over the past 40 years,” the company said.
“Buster’s passion for hospitality, his demand for excellence, and the deep care he had for his team members were unparalleled,&#8221; the company added. &#8220;Our hearts go out to his family at this difficult time and while we will miss his wise counsel and his easy laugh, the legacy he and Dave built endures.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
&quot; Everybody is somebody, everybody is a star&quot;
RIP to Buster Corley, to whom we owe half our name and all of our thanks. You will be missed. <a href="https://t.co/Ca4cWEPY4S">pic.twitter.com/Ca4cWEPY4S</a>
&mdash; Dave &amp; Buster&#39;s (@DaveandBusters) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaveandBusters/status/1610670436227989504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The idea for the company started in the late 1970s when Corley was managing a restaurant that was located near an entertainment business operated by David Corriveau.
The two men teamed up to start Dave &amp; Buster&#8217;s and launched their first location in 1982.
The company is now <a href="https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/PLAY/dave-busters-entertainment/net-worth#:~:text=How%20much%20a%20company%20is,03%2C%202023%20is%20%241.71B.">worth</a> more than a billion dollars and has dozens of locations across the country.
If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking of harming themselves, please call or text the 988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline at 988.

US-EARNINGS-DAVE & BUSTERS

Dave & Buster’s Co-Founder James Corley Dies

Dave & Buster's Co-Founder James Corley Dies

General

Suicide

Major fast-food chains like White Castle and Chipotle have started employing restaurant robots as labor shortages continue to impact the industry while the price of food increases in the aftermath of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COVID</a> and crippling inflation.
According to a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/27/restaurant-chains-are-investing-in-robots-bringing-change-for-workers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a>, automated machines will grill burgers, brew coffee, and welcome customers for a fraction of the cost compared to paying human workers — as governments nationwide imposed draconian lockdown orders, forcing restaurants to close down temporarily and, in some cases, permanently.
The National Restaurant Association said in a report reviewed by the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11596161/Chipotle-White-Castle-spending-500-000-month-ROBOTS-combat-labor-shortages.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=social-twitter_dailymailus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a> that four out of five operators have been understaffed since the pandemic hit in 2020.
White Castle reportedly has begun testing at 100 locations a robot named Flippy, a kitchen robot built by a California-based tech company called Miso Robotics. The AI-powered machine can cook 300 burgers and deep fry potatoes for about $3,000 a month. On the other hand, Chipotle hired one-armed robots to make tortilla chips at 73 different sites for the same price.
&#8220;The highest value benefit that we bring to a restaurant is not to reduce their expenses, but to allow them to sell more and generate a profit,&#8221; Miso CEO Mike Bell told CNBC.
Starbucks has spent $18,000 on AI-powered espresso machines in at least 1,200 locations.
David Henkes, a principal at restaurant research firm Technomic, told CNBC the automation experimentation would lead the industry &#8220;somewhere at some point.&#8221;
&#8220;But we&#8217;re still a very labor-intensive, labor-driven industry,&#8221; Henkes said.
Jamie Richardson, vice president of White Castle, told the outlet that other changes, like Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, have had a more outsized impact on sales.
&#8220;Sometimes the bigger automation investments we make aren&#8217;t as earth-shattering,&#8221; Richardson said.
McDonald&#8217;s revealed a test restaurant last month that replaced positions formerly held by employees with automation technology near Fort Worth, Texas.
&#8220;The technology in this restaurant not only allows us to serve our customers in new, innovative ways, it gives our restaurant team the ability to concentrate more on order speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone,&#8221; Keith Vanecek, the franchisee operating the test restaurant, said in the blog post <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcdonalds-automated-restaurant-robots-drive-thru-conveyer-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> by CBS News.
Vanecek&#8217;s comment comes after McDonald&#8217;s CEO Chris Kempczinski dismissed in an earnings call last summer the idea of total automation any time soon.
&#8220;The idea of robots and all those things, while it maybe is great for garnering headlines, it&#8217;s not practical in the vast majority of restaurants,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The economics don&#8217;t pencil out. … You&#8217;re not going to see that as a broad-based solution any time soon.&#8221;
Casey Warman, an economics professor at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, told CNBC he expects automation to permanently shrink the restaurant industry&#8217;s workforce.
&#8220;Once the machines are in place, they&#8217;re not going to [sic] backwards, especially if there&#8217;s large cost savings,&#8221; he said.
Other restaurants, such as Taco Bell, Popeyes, and Panera Bread, have also installed AI to take orders, while Dominoes has started testing robotic technology to add sauce, cheese, and toppings to its pizza.
Implementing automation in restaurants also comes as states like California have increased minimum wages.
The Golden State increased its minimum hourly wage last year to $15 for employers with 26 or more employees and $14 for employers with 25 or fewer employees — the highest hourly wage in the nation. The increase comes as part of the law that has raised the wage from $10 per hour in 2017 to $15.50 in 2023.
The California Department of Industrial Relations said in a <a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_minimumwage.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news release</a> that &#8220;after the state minimum wage reaches $15 an hour for all employees, the rate will be adjusted annually for inflation based on the national consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical worker.&#8221;
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act three months ago, creating a Fast Food Council empowered to raise minimum wages for the industry up to $22 per hour, representing an increase of over 40% from the $15.50 per hour minimum wage slated to take effect this year.
A report published last year by the Congressional Budget Office found that a nationwide minimum wage of $15 per hour would result in 1.4 million job losses, even as 900,000 workers are lifted from poverty.
Such a wage hike would affect 17 million workers whose pay would otherwise be below the threshold.
 Ben Zeisloft contributed to this report.

Smart robotic food holding a hamburger in a restaurant futuristic robot automation increase efficiency

More Fast-Food Chains Invest In Automation Amid Labor Shortages, Minimum Wage Increases

labor shortage

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