I have operated restaurants in Utica, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo for over 50 years.

At Zebb’s, for example, in 2006 the 1/3 lb burger was $4.99 and the minimum wage was $6.50. In 2021, 15 years later the 1/3 lb burger was $9.99 and the minimum wage was $12.50.

When the minimum wage increases all employee wages will also increase which in turn causing the business to raise their prices to pay for these increases. A minimum wage increase will also effect all industries and they too will raise prices.

Because of all the price increases the minimum wage worker has no more purchasing power at $12.50 then they did at $6.50. The price increases due to minimum wage increases effect all wage earners purchasing power. Retirees and low income workers are
effected the most as they are on a fixed income.

Remember the 1950s 1960s and all the manufacturing in our cities, manufacturing that created a middle class, most are gone. Today about 80% all goods we use are not manufactured in the United States.

— Richard Zdyb, Kirby’s, The Hook Line and Sinker, Zebb’s