This story has been updated to correct comments made by the In-N-Out president in an interview.
In-N-Out Burger is raising prices on some items at its California locations soon to accompany a $2.00 hourly raise for its workers after the state began increasing the minimum wage for fast food workers.
The burger chain confirmed that since April 1, prices for burgers, fries and drinks have increased by $0.25 to $0.50 depending on locations.
“We continue to raise menu prices only when absolutely necessary, as we did on April 1 of this year at our California restaurants,” In-N-Out owner and president Lynsey Snyder said in a statement. “Delivering the best possible value to our customers has always been very important to us, and will continue to be.”
The Fast Act took effect April 1, offering fast food employees a starting wage of $20 an hour, up from the previous standard of $16. Since its release, executives at chains like McDonald’s and Chipotle have said they will increase prices to offset wage increases.
Price increases were reported in Los Angeles and San Francisco
A double-double combo now costs $11.44 in Los Angeles County, an increase of $0.76 from last year’s price, according to KTLA-TV.
Price increases were also reported at locations in San Francisco and Daly City, a Bay Area station Kroon TV mentioned.
Starting pay for In-N-Out employees in California ranges from $22 to $23 an hour, according to Denny Warnick, In-N-Out’s chief operating officer.
The In-N-Out president said she fought to stop the price hikes
Snyder has been vocal about protecting prices at the West Coast’s favorite burger chain when possible.
Snyder said in an April interview: NBC Today Throughout its career, it has tried to avoid raising prices as other fast food chains do.
“I would sit toe-to-toe in VP meetings and say, ‘We can’t raise prices that much, we can’t.’ Because it seemed like a huge commitment to take care of our customers,” Snyder said.
Fast food prices have risen by 4.8% since 2023
Fast food prices have risen 4.8% since last year and 47% since 2014, while headline inflation has risen 24%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A recent USA Today report used survey information collected by a team of reporters in 18 markets across the country to compare prices over the past 10 years.
The survey found that the average price of a medium Big Mac has risen from $5.69 in 2014 to $9.72 in 2024, an increase of about 70%. The price of an average Big Mac ranged from $7.89 in Houston to $15 in Seattle.
Contributor: Mary Walrath Holdridge
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