Lawrence Cheng, center, whose family owns seven Wendy's locations south of Los Angeles, takes orders from customers at his Wendy's restaurant in Fountain Valley, Calif., June 20, 2024. California's minimum wage increase that went into effect in April and saw fast food workers across the state go from making $16 to $20 overnight is already having an impact. "We kind of just cut where we can," said Cheng. "I schedule one less person, and then I come in for that time that I didn't schedule, and I work that hour." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)