April 1 will see fast-food workers’ minimum wage reach $20 an hour, following the passing of AB 1228 through the state legislature in September. The wage increase, now slightly under the cost of living in the state, is a shift that fast-food franchisees across the state are now trying to adapt to through changes in hiring and hourly staffing. Some workers may start to see their hours shortened and their shifts more demanding, while franchisees struggle to balance their books to the new normal. With a lot of change coming up–what’s the pulse of the state’s fast food industry now and what are their expectations for the future? Today on AirTalk, we’ll check in with listeners who are part of the industry and talk to a panel of experts. Joining us today is Tia Koonse, legal & policy research manager at the UCLA Labor Center, Michaela Mendelson, Southern California El Pollo Loco franchisee, and Anneisha Williams, Jack in the Box worker & member of the California Fast Food Workers Union.