California's New $20 Minimum Wage for Fast-Food Workers Begins, Drawing Praise and Concerns

• California's new $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers went into effect on January 1st, impacting chains with over 60 locations

• The law applies to fast-food chains except those that make their own bread

• The statewide minimum wage is $15.50 an hour; the federal minimum wage remains $7.25

• Median fast-food worker pay prior was $16.60 in California, $13.43 nationally

• Restaurant owners have warned of job cuts and higher prices; some chains already announced layoffs