SAN DIEGO — If you've ordered a double-double at In-N-Out lately, you may be doing a double-take.
The California-based chain has raised its combo prices as a new $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers has taken effect.
As fast food workers' wages have gone up here in San Diego County so have those fast food prices. While In-N-Out earlier said its prices would not be going up "that much" out of an obligation to their customers, there has still been an increase.
San Diegan Zalota Levine usually heads to In-N-Out for her son.
"He loves the animal-style burgers!" she said. "So today I decided, I'm tired and I don't want to cook — so I'm going to try it!"
But she and other customers will have to dig a little deeper for that double-double combo, which now runs over $10.
Back in 2020, that same combo went for about $7.85.
"I'm not surprised," said Jonathan Isaacs, who comes to In-N-Out because it's his four-year-old daughter Mia's favorite restaurant.
"With inflation and everything I'm reading about, I know prices are going up," he said. "They need to be able to pay for their workers, so it's a part of life."
In-N-Out released a statement that said:
"On April 1st, we raised prices in California restaurants to accompany a raise given to the Associates at those locations. The starting wage in our California stores is $22 to $23 per hour, and the price of a Double-Double, French fries, and drink increased by $0.25 to $0.50, depending on location."
The starting pay at In-N-Out outpaces its competitors.
"It would be better for the employees," said eight-year-old Madelyn Hubbard, who admits that, for her, the price hike doesn't really matter.
"I mean, I don't really pay for it," the second-grader told CBS 8.
While her parents may mind more, Madelyn is more focused on the milkshakes and cheese fries.
"I think the food is actually really good!" she added.
In the wake of this new fast-food wage law, other chains like Mcdonald's and Chipotle have also raised prices.
Pizza Hut has responded by laying off its delivery drivers and San Diego-based Rubio's has shut down 48 of its restaurants statewide.
For consumers like Zalota Levine, inflation has become a part of life.
"Everything in the grocery store is getting jacked up too," she said. "I mean, it is what it is!"
Higher costs, though, don't seem to mean fewer customers, at least for Jonathan Isaacs and his daughter.
"It's all out of my control," he told CBS 8, "We are still going to come here. It's her favorite place to go, and it's all about making good memories for her."
This $20-an-hour minimum wage for fast food workers here in California applies to all restaurant chains with more than 60 locations in the United States.
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