California Governor Scrambles as New Laws Trigger Business Exodus Megan Wright

A fast-food restaurant in Lemoore, California shut down forever on April 1st, 2024 — not because of bad management, not because customers stopped coming, but because rising labor costs made survival impossible.

In this episode of California Business Watch, we break down the real-world impact of California’s $20 fast-food minimum wage under AB 1228. From the permanent closure of a family-run Fosters Freeze to mass layoffs at Pizza Hut, Rubio’s Coastal Grill filing for bankruptcy, rising menu prices, and shrinking worker hours — the consequences are unfolding in real time.

Using data from economists, government agencies, and industry insiders, this video explains:

Why fast-food jobs started disappearing before the wage hike took effect

How businesses responded with layoffs, automation, and closures

Why prices across California jumped 10–12% while the rest of the country saw far less

How some operators survived while others shut down permanently

What this means for workers, customers, small towns, and the future of low-wage work in America

This isn’t about politics. It’s about math, economics, and real people caught in the middle.

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⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This video is for informational and educational purposes only.
All opinions expressed are commentary and analysis based on publicly available reports, economic studies, news coverage, and firsthand interviews. The content does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.

Employment figures, wage impacts, and economic outcomes discussed may vary by source and time period. Viewers are encouraged to review multiple sources and form their own conclusions.

This channel does not represent any political party, corporation, or labor organization.

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