Californians fed up with fast food chains hiking prices are now biting back — by taking their business elsewhere

Californians are increasingly abandoning fast food chains due to rising prices, a trend exacerbated by a state-mandated minimum wage increase to $20 for fast food workers starting in April. As prices at chains like McDonald's and Chick-fil-A have surged by about 10%, customers like Greg LaVay and Seth Amitin are opting for more affordable meals at smaller, independent restaurants unaffected by the wage hike. This shift is part of a broader reaction against the perceived high cost of fast food in the state.