In-N-Out Burger raised prices for some items at California locations soon after the state initiated a minimum wage increase for fast food workers.
Since April 1, prices for a Double-Double burger, fries and a drink increased by $0.25 to $0.50 depending on locations, the burger chain confirmed.
“We raised prices in California restaurants to accompany a raise given to the Associates at those locations,” Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said in a statement Thursday.
The Fast Act went into effect on April 1 offering fast food employees a $20 an hour starting wage, up from the previous $16 standard. Since its passing, executives at chains like McDonald’s and Chipotle said they would increase prices to offset the wage increases.
Prices increases reported in Los Angeles, San Francisco
The Double-Double combo now costs $11.44 in Los Angeles County, a $0.76 increase from last year’s price, according to KTLA-TV.
Price increases have also been reported at locations in San Francisco and Daly City, Bay Area station KRON-TV reported.
The starting wage for In-N-Out employees in California is $22 to $23 per hour, Warnick said.
In-N-Out President said prices would not rise ‘that much’
In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder has previously vowed to protect prices at the West Coast’s favorite burger chain despite the new minimum wage law.
In an April interview, Snyder told NBC’s TODAY that the private company won’t see drastic price increases in California after the Fast Act passed.
“I was sitting in VP meetings going toe-to-toe saying, ‘We can’t raise the prices that much, we can’t,'” Snyder said. “Because I felt such an obligation to look out for our customers.”
Fast food prices are up 4.8% since 2023
Fast food prices are up 4.8% since last year and 47% since 2014, while general inflation has risen 24%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A recent report by USA Today used survey information compiled by a team of reporters in 18 markets across the country to compare prices over the past 10 years.
The survey found that an average medium Big Mac meal has risen in price from $5.69 in 2014 to $9.72 in 2024, an increase of about 70%. The price of a medium Big Mac meal ranged in price from $7.89 in Houston to $15 in Seattle.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Barbara Terrio is a seasoned business journalist, delving into the world of finance, startups, and entrepreneurship. With a knack for demystifying complex economic trends, she helps readers navigate the business landscape. Outside of her reporting, Barbara is an advocate for financial literacy and enjoys mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs.
