@@LeetHaxington Idk, I've lived in Boulder since 1993 and I've never paid $30 for a cheeseburger itself...which is different when I get a few beers...or go for weeks walking my dog without seeing another person... It is expensive, and gotten more expensive over the years, but I feel like this is a pretty wild over exaggeration.
A hike in the minimum wage can push restaurants out of business-but mainly the less desirable establishments already suffering from poor reputations. Research by the Harvard Business School indicated that restaurants that have a great reputation and great service manage to carry on business as usual despite increases in minimum wage. Mediocre restaurants have a 14% higher chance of going under because they're already "living closer to the edge," and the wage increase pushes them over the edge.
restaurants open and close all the time. The owner class doesn't care for those uppity folks fighting for more money. We should remove all worker protection so the owner class can have cheap labor!
@@Life91938 Oh, so now recognizing opportunity makes someone 'greedy'? That’s rich. Let’s break this down: if a business can’t stay afloat without paying its employees poverty wages, maybe it’s time to face the harsh truth-it wasn’t a sustainable business to begin with. That’s not a failure of raising the minimum wage; that’s a failure of the business owner’s ability to adapt. And guess what? When those businesses close, it clears the way for owners who can run a business properly-ones who value their workers, innovate, and create something better. You act like the world owes these failing businesses eternal survival at the expense of workers who can’t even afford rent. Sorry, but nostalgia and pity don’t pay bills. If someone else steps in with a better model that pays fair wages, treats employees well, and still turns a profit, that’s not 'greedy.' That’s capitalism working as it’s supposed to. It’s survival of the fittest, right? Or do you only like that concept when it doesn’t challenge the status quo you’re clinging to? And let’s not ignore the bigger picture. Higher wages mean workers have more spending power, which boosts the economy and, surprise, helps businesses thrive. If a restaurant can’t adjust and take advantage of that, maybe the problem isn’t the minimum wage-it’s the owner’s lack of foresight. Progress isn’t here to coddle incompetence; it’s here to reward those who step up to meet the challenge. So no, appreciating the opportunities for better businesses to replace failing ones isn’t 'greedy'-it’s hopeful. It’s forward-thinking. And maybe if you spent less time defending outdated, exploitative practices, you’d see that too.
Hmm, why is the framing of the story about how this will hurt business? Wonder how much the owners make, why does it necessarily have to be a consumer issue?
@@SpartacusColo I have and do and it has never depended on stealing from anyone. This is capitalism, son. If your business cannot survive when forced to pay a survival wage to your employees, then oops oh my looks like your business depends on stealing wages from employees. That means YOU are the problem. We have ZERO sympathy for businesses in 2025. ZERO!! Cry me a river, son. We are not buying anything for 18 months to force capitalists like you to wither on the vine! We owe you nothing. No one owes you anything. You do not provide an essential service to the community. And if you keep crying about it, then we will get our pitchforks out. We are done. Democracy has failed us. Capitalism has failed us. It's so bad that the average American voted for a dictator... That means they want to destroy everything. Including you. So here's your clue. Take your pity party AND GO!
There must also be something the state can do about the otherside of the equation, which is rent. If I didn't have to spend half my income on rent, I could manage a lower wage. A one dollar increase in hourly wage is 2000 dollars a year, after taxes maybe 1500-1600 or something. Gotta do something about rent.
Maybe if the rents weren’t so high and the layers of insurance weren’t so high and ifif higher wages were also a tax deduction for owners. So then local governments need to help subsidize rents and insurance that are way out of whack, so the owners can pay their workers respectable wages.
I live in Denver and see some of my favorite small longtime restaurants closing their doors and moving out of the city. I now travel to lone tree or Centennial to dine. Could be wages, taxes and crime in Denver causing business to flee. I just don't feel safe in Denver anymore.
People working at minimum wage spend every marginal dollar as they do not make enough to save. That has a broad multiplier effect in the economy. If you cannot afford to pay living wages it means your business model is flawed and not sustainable. In many Front Range communities, basic-level service workers cannot afford to live in some of the towns they work in. I owned a restaurant and know that model well. So much so that unless it is a real five star place with trained chefs, or a real specialty ethnic place, I do not bother as I can cook better. I can do Chasu Ramen close to Japan so why would I pay $20 for a bowl that is dross compared to the one I can get in Japan for a max of $10. Rents have zip to do with the minimum wage btw. That rise is due to limited inventory, increases in corporate ownership, the documented price collusion due to one software package and short term rentals eating part of the market.
Why does anyone believe mandatory minimum wage will do anything but raise cost and have the net result of lowering the purchasing power of those in the next income bracket up? Companies will raise prices, cut hours or cut staffing or all of the above. I worked in the restaurant business, the locally owned restaurant does not have the huge profit margins that people seem to think. Sewer problems, equipment replacement cost, a fire eat that up fairly quickly. Minimum wage hurts to private owner far more than the corporate owners. All this does is destroy local small business
It destroys ones that are poorly run or have a flawed business model. Also, eating out is a choice and one that was much less common several decades ago. When there was less obesity and people knew how to cook. The net return on the experience and food does not meet the cost in any case. I owned a place so know a bit more than folks who worked in them.
@ I was restaurant manager for a privately owned restaurant and for a national chain and dealt with the same suppliers in the same area. The privately owned was better run than the chains (general manage and district level). The chains got better pricing from the suppliers because of the higher volume. One of the chains had its own commissary for its stores, making some things in bulk that were then frozen and sent to the stores, this also lowered costs, overall lower staffing levels. National chains have brand recognition and more advertising support. Certainly raising minimum wage and driving up costs will have a greater impact on poorly run businesses, but it still hurts well run local business. One of the chains I worked for did delivery. As minimum wage went up, they started tacking on a “delivery charge” to offset the increased cost of labor without having to adjust the advertised price for the good. This resulted in a significant decrease in driver tips, customers assumed incorrectly the delivery charge went to the driver, it didn’t. We saw an up tick in carry out, also impacting driver’s tips and the number of drivers needed. As minimum wage has been raised in my state (I know there are other factors) cost of living has significantly increased, far greater than my wages have increased. My standard of living has decreased over the years. So I go out less often, I don’t buy the same products. My coworkers go out less often. On the occasions I do go out, restaurants that used to be on an hour wait on a Friday/Saturday night (including chains) are now less than half full, which means less staffing, which means less entry level jobs that are great for young adults. Near my neighborhood, there are 3 fast food chains. One serves breakfast. They used to have cars queued 10 deep in the drive through, now one or two at the most even during what would be expected to be the busy time. Kiosk ordering has now taken jobs as well. Automation is cheaper than people. So we raise taxes to have social assistance programs, further negatively impacting people. Minimum wage is economic poison. Some jobs were never intended (nor should they be) to pay living wages. They are for entry level, gain experience or to supplement a family income if needed.
Why is it always a strain on the business... the consumer is the one getting F'ed..... ohhhh poor multi-million dollar corporation my heart bleeds for you ...WAHHHH!!! Better hire some new bookkeepers...
So after all those tech jobs, boutique stores, and rebuilding large areas...there's no money for working people?
@@LeetHaxington Idk, I've lived in Boulder since 1993 and I've never paid $30 for a cheeseburger itself...which is different when I get a few beers...or go for weeks walking my dog without seeing another person...
It is expensive, and gotten more expensive over the years, but I feel like this is a pretty wild over exaggeration.
Colorado drove off a cliff a decade ago, its going to hurt worse and worse every day
Low wages puts strain on workers to make ends meet. Like food and rent.
A hike in the minimum wage can push restaurants out of business-but mainly the less desirable establishments already suffering from poor reputations. Research by the Harvard Business School indicated that restaurants that have a great reputation and great service manage to carry on business as usual despite increases in minimum wage. Mediocre restaurants have a 14% higher chance of going under because they're already "living closer to the edge," and the wage increase pushes them over the edge.
Voting has consequences! You don't say!
It will be sad watching these restaurants shut down over the next few months. Thanks D voters.
The opportunities for others to take their place will be exciting to see as well.
@@AmericanMadeAdventures LOL Yeah, and to watch them FAIL too. D policies are by idiots, for idiots...
restaurants open and close all the time.
The owner class doesn't care for those uppity folks fighting for more money. We should remove all worker protection so the owner class can have cheap labor!
@@AmericanMadeAdventureshow is being happy someone lost their business a good thing, you just want new experiences for yourself. You’re greedy.
@@Life91938 Oh, so now recognizing opportunity makes someone 'greedy'? That’s rich. Let’s break this down: if a business can’t stay afloat without paying its employees poverty wages, maybe it’s time to face the harsh truth-it wasn’t a sustainable business to begin with. That’s not a failure of raising the minimum wage; that’s a failure of the business owner’s ability to adapt. And guess what? When those businesses close, it clears the way for owners who can run a business properly-ones who value their workers, innovate, and create something better.
You act like the world owes these failing businesses eternal survival at the expense of workers who can’t even afford rent. Sorry, but nostalgia and pity don’t pay bills. If someone else steps in with a better model that pays fair wages, treats employees well, and still turns a profit, that’s not 'greedy.' That’s capitalism working as it’s supposed to. It’s survival of the fittest, right? Or do you only like that concept when it doesn’t challenge the status quo you’re clinging to?
And let’s not ignore the bigger picture. Higher wages mean workers have more spending power, which boosts the economy and, surprise, helps businesses thrive. If a restaurant can’t adjust and take advantage of that, maybe the problem isn’t the minimum wage-it’s the owner’s lack of foresight. Progress isn’t here to coddle incompetence; it’s here to reward those who step up to meet the challenge.
So no, appreciating the opportunities for better businesses to replace failing ones isn’t 'greedy'-it’s hopeful. It’s forward-thinking. And maybe if you spent less time defending outdated, exploitative practices, you’d see that too.
Dining out is going to become a thing of the past.
Doesnt matter people in Boulder can afford to pay for raised prices
Aw yes the same thing people have been saying would happen this whole time
Good luck. This happened in Seattle and most restaurants last 1-3 years bleeding money before they close and a new sucker tries their luck.
I would go to a restaurant without tipping over a restaurant with tipping. Why not eliminate tipping, and pay your employees hourly?
I’ll just stay out of boulder
Hmm, why is the framing of the story about how this will hurt business? Wonder how much the owners make, why does it necessarily have to be a consumer issue?
Bingo! Eat the rich. We have pitch forks for this crap.
@@MostlyEnds Kommie L0sers always say that, let us know how that works out for you...
You should go open a small business.
@@SpartacusColo I have and do and it has never depended on stealing from anyone. This is capitalism, son. If your business cannot survive when forced to pay a survival wage to your employees, then oops oh my looks like your business depends on stealing wages from employees. That means YOU are the problem. We have ZERO sympathy for businesses in 2025. ZERO!! Cry me a river, son. We are not buying anything for 18 months to force capitalists like you to wither on the vine! We owe you nothing. No one owes you anything. You do not provide an essential service to the community. And if you keep crying about it, then we will get our pitchforks out. We are done. Democracy has failed us. Capitalism has failed us. It's so bad that the average American voted for a dictator... That means they want to destroy everything. Including you. So here's your clue. Take your pity party AND GO!
Start a small business and see how hard it is to make a lot of money and then come back.
But I thought everyone was equal??? 😂 you voted for this!!
I’m here in California and 3 piece meal at Popeyes is 17 bucks
They pay 20 bucks a hour
Same thing was $15 in Colorado before the law was even passed....let alone started...
There must also be something the state can do about the otherside of the equation, which is rent. If I didn't have to spend half my income on rent, I could manage a lower wage. A one dollar increase in hourly wage is 2000 dollars a year, after taxes maybe 1500-1600 or something. Gotta do something about rent.
Hey Peter, “labor hours” are people’s hours of their life. They serve you and your customers and they get enough money to live meagerly. Pretty simple
Maybe if the rents weren’t so high and the layers of insurance weren’t so high and ifif higher wages were also a tax deduction for owners. So then local governments need to help subsidize rents and insurance that are way out of whack, so the owners can pay their workers respectable wages.
I live in Denver and see some of my favorite small longtime restaurants closing their doors and moving out of the city. I now travel to lone tree or Centennial to dine. Could be wages, taxes and crime in Denver causing business to flee. I just don't feel safe in Denver anymore.
Correct, correct, and correct!
Sounds like Peter should help wash some dishes instead of playing the victim -- he's had years to prepare for a wage creep.
With his 150 dollar patagonia pullover, not a good look
@@harvest_mazie That's what everybody in Boulder wears. Including his wait-staff.
"Noooo, I can't live large as a capitalist if my employees can afford luxuries like food and shelter! D:"
People working at minimum wage spend every marginal dollar as they do not make enough to save. That has a broad multiplier effect in the economy. If you cannot afford to pay living wages it means your business model is flawed and not sustainable. In many Front Range communities, basic-level service workers cannot afford to live in some of the towns they work in. I owned a restaurant and know that model well. So much so that unless it is a real five star place with trained chefs, or a real specialty ethnic place, I do not bother as I can cook better. I can do Chasu Ramen close to Japan so why would I pay $20 for a bowl that is dross compared to the one I can get in Japan for a max of $10. Rents have zip to do with the minimum wage btw. That rise is due to limited inventory, increases in corporate ownership, the documented price collusion due to one software package and short term rentals eating part of the market.
Why does anyone believe mandatory minimum wage will do anything but raise cost and have the net result of lowering the purchasing power of those in the next income bracket up? Companies will raise prices, cut hours or cut staffing or all of the above. I worked in the restaurant business, the locally owned restaurant does not have the huge profit margins that people seem to think. Sewer problems, equipment replacement cost, a fire eat that up fairly quickly. Minimum wage hurts to private owner far more than the corporate owners. All this does is destroy local small business
It destroys ones that are poorly run or have a flawed business model. Also, eating out is a choice and one that was much less common several decades ago. When there was less obesity and people knew how to cook. The net return on the experience and food does not meet the cost in any case. I owned a place so know a bit more than folks who worked in them.
@ I was restaurant manager for a privately owned restaurant and for a national chain and dealt with the same suppliers in the same area. The privately owned was better run than the chains (general manage and district level). The chains got better pricing from the suppliers because of the higher volume. One of the chains had its own commissary for its stores, making some things in bulk that were then frozen and sent to the stores, this also lowered costs, overall lower staffing levels. National chains have brand recognition and more advertising support. Certainly raising minimum wage and driving up costs will have a greater impact on poorly run businesses, but it still hurts well run local business. One of the chains I worked for did delivery. As minimum wage went up, they started tacking on a “delivery charge” to offset the increased cost of labor without having to adjust the advertised price for the good. This resulted in a significant decrease in driver tips, customers assumed incorrectly the delivery charge went to the driver, it didn’t. We saw an up tick in carry out, also impacting driver’s tips and the number of drivers needed. As minimum wage has been raised in my state (I know there are other factors) cost of living has significantly increased, far greater than my wages have increased. My standard of living has decreased over the years. So I go out less often, I don’t buy the same products. My coworkers go out less often. On the occasions I do go out, restaurants that used to be on an hour wait on a Friday/Saturday night (including chains) are now less than half full, which means less staffing, which means less entry level jobs that are great for young adults. Near my neighborhood, there are 3 fast food chains. One serves breakfast. They used to have cars queued 10 deep in the drive through, now one or two at the most even during what would be expected to be the busy time. Kiosk ordering has now taken jobs as well. Automation is cheaper than people. So we raise taxes to have social assistance programs, further negatively impacting people. Minimum wage is economic poison. Some jobs were never intended (nor should they be) to pay living wages. They are for entry level, gain experience or to supplement a family income if needed.
Because the average Liberal voter is unbelievably selfish and short-sighted.
Why is it always a strain on the business... the consumer is the one getting F'ed..... ohhhh poor multi-million dollar corporation my heart bleeds for you ...WAHHHH!!! Better hire some new bookkeepers...
Lucky Denver
is that samosa
End tipping culture
I would never start a business in a democratic state