In-N-Out increases prices after California hikes minimum wage

In-N-Out has raised prices in California in response to the state’s new minimum wage increase.

“On April 1st, we raised our prices incrementally to accompany a pay raise for all of the Associates working in our California restaurants,” the fast food chain said in a statement to KTVU. “The price increase was also necessary to maintain our quality standards.”

A double-double combo in Los Angeles County costs $11.44, an increase of $0.76 from last year, according to KTLA.

In-N-Out prices vary depending on location. A double-double burger with fries and a drink costs $13.63 after taxes at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, while the same meal goes for $11.52 in Daly City.

California’s new minimum wage law went into effect on April 1, the same day the burger chain reportedly raised its prices. The law mandated that fast food restaurants in California with more than 60 locations nationwide pay employees at least $20 per hour. The starting wage for In-N-Out employees is $22 to $23 dollars per hour, KTVU reported.

The minimum wage in California is $16 per hour for most other employers.

The president of In-N-Out, Lynsi Snyder, said in April that she fought to keep menu prices down after the minimum wage law went into effect.

“I was sitting in VP meetings going toe-to-toe saying ‘we can’t raise the prices that much, we can’t,’ she said at the time. “I felt such an obligation to look out for our customer.”

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Other fast food chains in California also hiked prices following the new law. The cost of a Texas Double Whopper meal at a Los Angeles Burger King increased from $15.09 to $16.89 between March 29 and April 1 — an increase of nearly 12%.

The price of the restaurant’s Big Fish meal went from $7.49 before the minimum wage law to $11.49 after, a 53% increase.