The Consolidation Wave: A 2026 Data Analysis of California’s $20 Minimum Wage Fallout
Over two years have passed since the implementation of California’s AB 1228, which established a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. While academic models published by state-affiliated institutions claim employment levels have remained statistically stable, a granular review of store-level operational data in mid-2026 reveals a fundamentally altered industry structure. The primary consequence of the […]