Are You a Fast Food Worker in California? You May Be Owed Wages

Fast food is a billion-dollar industry, yet the workers who keep it running often struggle to make ends meet. According to a recent study from Northwestern University and Rutgers University, many are also victims of wage theft.

The study uncovered a troubling trend: more than 25% of California’s 500,000 fast food workers have been experiencing some form of wage theft in the past year.

California has some of the strongest labor laws in the country, but enforcement can be a challenge, especially in industries with high turnover and vulnerable workers. Many fast food workers are immigrants, young people, or part-time employees, groups that may be less likely to report violations due to fear of retaliation or lack of awareness.

That’s where legal action can make a difference. By holding employers accountable, you can fight to recover what you’re owed and push for broader change across the industry.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe every worker deserves fair pay for honest work. If you think you’ve been underpaid or denied wages you earned, you may have a case, and we may be able to help.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

What Counts as Wage Theft?

Wage theft can happen in many ways, and not all of them are obvious. You may be a victim of wage theft if:

• You're paid less than the California minimum wage (currently $16/hour statewide; $20/hour for many fast food workers as of April 2024)
• You’re not paid for all the hours you worked
• You’re forced to work through legally required breaks
• You’re not paid overtime when you work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week
• You’re misclassified as an “independent contractor” instead of an employee
• You’re required to do unpaid prep or cleaning tasks before or after your shift

Even if your employer “rounds down” your time, delays your paycheck, or fails to reimburse you for work-related expenses, you could have a claim.

What the Study Found

As of April 2024, California Assembly Bill 1228 (AB 1228) established a minimum wage of $20 for fast food workers if a fast food establishment is a chain with 60 locations in the United States. However, the study found that not every employer is following the law.

The research, conducted by the UCLA Labor Center in partnership with university teams from Rutgers and Northwestern, paints a dire picture for fast food workers. 

Nearly 1 in 4 workers were paid less than minimum wage, and many were forced to work off the clock or perform tasks beyond their job title

In total, the report estimates that fast food workers in Los Angeles County alone could have lost out on up to $260,000,000 for the measured period of 2019–2024. 

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Our employment law attorneys have a strong track record of fighting for workers in California and across the country. We understand the laws, the tactics bad employers use, and how to build a strong case.

We’ve recovered over $25 billion for clients, and we never charge a dime unless we win.

If you believe your employer has stolen wages from you or violated labor laws, we may be able to help you recover compensation for:

• Unpaid wages
• Missed breaks
• Overtime
• Penalties
• Emotional distress in some cases

Wage theft isn’t just unfair—it’s illegal. With the right legal support, you can stand up for your rights and your future.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight For the People. That means standing up for fast food workers and low-wage employees across California who deserve better.

Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.