California just hiked minimum wage for fast food workers. Some restaurants are replacing them with kiosks

California recently increased the minimum wage for fast food workers by $4 to $20. This has sparked concerns that workers will be replaced by technology, such as self-service kiosks. However, automation in the services industry is already widespread, and the restaurant industry has been adopting it even in states where the minimum wage hasn’t increased. Experts believe that the higher wages could actually benefit fast food owners by attracting more workers. Self-service kiosks have become common in fast food chains, and they are popular among customers as they offer convenience and personalized ordering. The minimum wage increase in California is expected to accelerate the adoption of technology in the industry. Despite the labor challenges faced by the industry, some fast food franchisees are planning to install more self-service kiosks to streamline operations and reduce costs. The goal is to strike a balance between using technology and maintaining a hybrid environment with human interaction. The wage increase has significantly raised labor costs, prompting some franchisees to embrace technology to stay profitable. The use of technology in the industry will likely be driven by necessity rather than just customer demand. Some businesses have already experienced closures or have halted expansion due to the minimum wage hike.