March 22nd 2024.
Kerri Harper-Howie is a successful business owner, managing 21 McDonald's franchises in California. However, she is currently facing a major challenge as the state's new minimum wage law is set to take effect on April 1. This law will require fast food workers, including those at McDonald's, to be paid $20 an hour, which is a significant increase from the current rate.
While this wage hike is being celebrated as a victory for low-income workers, Harper-Howie is concerned about the financial impact it will have on her franchises. But her frustration goes beyond just the financial aspect. According to KTLA 5, she also feels that franchise owners like herself are being unfairly targeted by this law.
The legislation, known as Assembly Bill 1228, was the result of negotiations between the Service Employees International Union and the California Restaurant Association. However, Harper-Howie and other franchise owners were not included in these negotiations and feel like they had no say in the matter.
"It's frustrating because we weren't a part of the decision-making process," Harper-Howie expressed. "We didn't have anyone representing us in the room during those negotiations."
With her family's long history with McDonald's, Harper-Howie is committed to keeping prices affordable for her customers, many of whom live in lower-income neighborhoods. Despite the wage hike, she is determined to find ways to offset the higher labor costs without passing them on to her customers through significant price increases.
"We can't just raise prices to cover the costs because that would make it unaffordable for our customers," she explained. "We have to find other ways to be more efficient and cut costs, even if it means less profitability for us. We are willing to take less in order to keep our prices reasonable."
As the deadline for the wage hike approaches, Harper-Howie's concerns are reflective of the broader challenges faced by the fast-food industry in balancing labor costs with affordability. It's a delicate balance that requires careful consideration and strategy, and Harper-Howie is determined to find a solution that works for both her business and her customers.
In the midst of all this, McDonald's has also recently launched their Mambo Sauce nationwide, along with a documentary called 'Love Of Mambo'. But for Harper-Howie, her focus remains on finding ways to navigate the challenges of the new minimum wage law while continuing to serve her community.
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