In-N-Out raises California prices of Double-Double after minimum wage law
This story has been updated to correct comments In-N-Out's president made in an interview.
In-N-Out Burger raised prices for some items at California locations soon to accompany a $2.00 per hour raise for its workers 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 continue to raise menu prices only when absolutely necessary, as we did on April 1st of this year in our California restaurants," In-N-Out Owner and President Lynsi Snyder said in a statement. "Providing the best value we can for our Customers has always been very important to us, and it will continue to be."
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, according to In-N-Out Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick.
In-N-Out President said she fought to stop prices increases
Snyder has been outspoken to protect prices at the West Coast's favorite burger chain when possible.
In an April interview, Snyder told NBC's TODAY that throughout her career she has tried to avoid raising prices as often as other fast food chains.
"I was sitting in VP meetings going toe-to-toe saying, ‘We can’t raise the prices that much, we can’t. Because it felt like such an obligation to look out for our customers.'" Snyder said.
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