Over the last hundred years or so, countless fast-food chains have emerged that offer convenience, affordable fare and unique dining experiences.

But as consumer preferences change over time, some franchises fail to keep up. 

Sometimes, bad business decisions bring about the downfall of a brand.

Even fast-food franchises that once rivaled industry titans can eventually fade into obscurity. And in rare cases, they can come back.

Burger Chef

Lum's

Sambo's

Steak and Ale

Pizza Haven

Today, the minimum wage for California fast food workers will increase to $20 an hour, or 25% above the state’s $16 level. And a first-of-its-kind fast food council will give workers, employers and state government the opportunity to come together and set standards for the industry.

But rather than celebrating, many headlines are predicting mass layoffs, major burger price increases and even the end of fast food as we know it in California.

Whether someone prepares burgers, blends smoothies or tosses pizza dough, what determines which California fast food workers will be paid $20 an hour?

Assembly Bill 1228 is in effect as of Monday, setting wages for California fast food workers $4 above than statewide minimum. It also creates a Fast Food Council to determine future minimum wage increases and to establish other employment standards at fast food restaurants, according to the Department of Industrial Relations.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s higher minimum wage for fast-food workers takes effect Monday. On top of California’s already high $16 minimum wage, the minimum wage for fast-food workers will increase to $20 an hour, the highest minimum wage in the U.S.

Minimum-wage advocates parrot the claim that this is a win for fast-food workers. They cite a few studies to argue that those workers will earn more and suffer no job loss, and that poverty will fall. But a growing body of research demonstrates that the small number of studies advocates rely on are flawed.

California's new law boosting the minimum wage for fast-food workers in the state to $20 an hour went into effect Monday, impacting restaurants that have at least 60 locations nationwide, except those that make and sell their own bread.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, AB 1228, into law in September. In addition to the pay raises, it also establishes a "Fast Food Council," including representatives for both workers and employers, that can approve further pay increases and set standards for working conditions.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said Thursday that he had vetoed bills to establish a state-regulated marketplace for marijuana and to raise Virginia’s minimum wage, gutting two Democratic priorities a day after opposition to his plans for a sports arena in Alexandria led Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis to keep the project in the District.

Fast food workers in California will benefit from a minimum wage rise that is due to come into effect in a week's time—but franchises have warned that its implementation could force them to increase their menu prices.

On April 1, fast-food restaurants will be required to pay employees at least $20 an hour, up from $16 as of January and $15.50 in 2023. The new law, signed by Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom in September, will also see minimum wages for health care employees go up from June 1.

The most recent increase in minimum wage in Oklahoma was on Jul. 24, 2009 per the federal minimum wage increase, from $6.55 to $7.25. AllSides highlights content from Gigafact, a network of newsrooms that respond to online claims. View the full fact brief on Oklahoma Watch.

The decision by states in half the country to hike their minimum wage could send the price of fast-food staples like a McDonald’s Big Mac soaring to $15 in those states, according to an economic analyst.

Brandon Arnold, executive vice president of the fiscally conservative think tank the National Taxpayers Union, pointed to California’s decision to mandate that employees at fast food restaurants be paid at least $20 an hour as a troubling sign.