Fast food joints are already looking into more automated systems to take orders. Things like iPads or similar point of sale devices are getting cheap and good enough to eliminate the need for as many people working. They are already testing them at a couple fast food places around here and the UI I am working on is accomplishing a similar thing but for restaurants. If you haven't already heard, Applesbees is installing tablets in 100,000 of it's stores. They have similar devices in most airports and I have played with one at LAX. These are going to be more and more common and the more common they are, the more accepted they will be. In 5 years, I doubt there will be anyone taking your order at these places. It'll only be a manager and a cook.

One important note is that LAX and some airports already have a "living wage" minimum. Those workers at the LAX Burger King already making about $15/hour. The meals that are usually doubled in the airport but that works because people don't have choices at the airport. The higher prices are easier to get away with.

So, what would happen if the minimum wage was raised? The corporations would start investing in technology to eliminate as many jobs as possible. Franchise owners (remember the people who own the McDonalds aren't making the billions McDonalds Corp is making) are simultaneously going to try to push back on the % they have to give to McDonalds. They may or may not succeed. Franchises already barely making enough to make ends meet will go out of business quickly and all those jobs will be lost. People are going to be hesitant about opening a new franchise because the numbers won't look nearly as nice.

In the end there will be less franchises around (less jobs), more automation (less jobs), and the impact will likely not affect McDonalds corp very much and we will still see big profits there.

With the higher wages and less jobs, more people will be pursuing those jobs. Fuck, I didn't even make $15/hour when I started at my job! Chances are those who are currently working there probably will be shoved out by more skilled/experienced/educated workers.

So before you start asking for something like $15/hour, perhaps these people should think about whether it's better to have a $7/hr job or no job.