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California's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers is actually a compromise

Oct 2, 2023
Despite one of the highest minimum wages in the country for fast-food workers, fast-food companies still clocked some wins.
California has enacted legislation that will bump fast-food workers’ pay to a minimum of $20 an hour starting next year.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Franchises are big business, but they're adjusting to economic headwinds

Sep 22, 2023
Franchisees get help with marketing and branding, but the corporate parent can’t do much about high interest rates and labor costs.
McDonald's royalty fees will rise from 4% to 5% for some franchisees, according to a company email viewed by Marketplace.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Wendy's looks to flip nearly 400 restaurants with bid to buy them from bankrupt NPC

Nov 20, 2020
The fast food burger chain wants to keep the restaurants from going to its direct competitors
A vehicle pulls into the drive-thru lane at a Wendy's restaurant in Alhambra, California, on May 5, 2020.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The complicated history of McDonald's and Black America

Jul 6, 2020
Author Marcia Chatelain examines the fast-food chain's relationship with its Black franchisees and consumers.
Black Lives Matter protesters march past a Philadelphia McDonald's restaurant.
ela/Getty Images

NLRB rule could make it harder for millions of workers to organize

Feb 26, 2020
It rolls back an Obama-era policy that held some corporations accountable for labor violations by subcontractors and franchisees.
The new NLRB rule could make it harder for employee's of McDonald's to organize.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Labor ruling says employees can only have one boss

Dec 15, 2017
The National Labor Relations Board has overturned an Obama-era ruling that had made it easier for workers at franchise businesses to form unions.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How McDonald's serves as a refuge for local communities

Jul 27, 2017
For some, the fast food giant allows them to connect with others.
A 1955 Ford, left, and a 1955 Oldsmobile are parked in the lot of the McDonald's museum in Des Plaines, IL. 
Tim Boyle/Newsmakers

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Is McDonald's at fault for franchisee labor practices?

Oct 6, 2016
A new trend in labor law says companies can be held accountable when problems occur
McDonald's restaurant is seen September 10, 2016 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

Investors want McDonald's out of real estate

Aug 25, 2015
Amid continued declining sales, Mickey D’s is urged to sell some property.

Franchising pies without losing the secret ingredient

Mar 30, 2015
LA chain the Pie Hole wrestles with expanding while remaining authentic.
Kai Ryssdal stands at the counter of The Pie Hole in downtown Los Angeles.
Daisy Palacios/Marketplace