> Owen’s team reviewed data on monthly job applicant totals for 2023, 2024, and early 2025 from a Burger King franchise group that operates more than 50 locations in California and saw clear evidence of a dramatic increase in applications. August 2024 had one of the largest spikes, with a 400% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Applications remained greatly elevated throughout early 2025.

I really appreciated this block because I'm tired of companies saying "I cant find workers" and then you look at what they want to pay and it's absurdly low. Even as a software engineer I've had cases where talking with someone in the comapny they're like "yeah we're looking for past 12 months and the senior just left" ... and then I find out the TC is like half- 2/3rds of what I already make... If you want to find people you have to compete to take them away from where they're already employed.

Also, despite the website, there is an interview with the researcher here: https://www.foxnews.com/media/californias-minimum-wage-hike-...