Wage references, restaurant establishment data and franchise guides for researching a restaurant business in California.
$16.90/hr
General California minimum; higher local or industry rates can apply
Dates, coverage and other rates ↓34,527
Census employer establishments · NAICS 722513
Definition and source ↓13,412
Census employer establishments · NAICS 722515
Definition and source ↓These are general, non-tipped wage references. Local, industry, employer-size, youth and other coverage rules can change the applicable rate. Check the linked authority for a particular workplace.
Reviewed 2026-10-01. Reference and effective dates are shown with each figure.
$16.90/hr
Effective from . Source checked .
California minimum-wage FAQ$20.00/hr
Coverage includes limited-service restaurants in chains with at least 60 establishments nationwide and other statutory criteria. Exemptions apply; this is not the rate for every restaurant.
Effective from . Source checked .
California fast-food wage FAQCheck work-location, leave, scheduling and overtime rules with the responsible agency. The links below are a starting point, not a complete list of obligations.
Official guidance on scheduling and other requirements for covered formula-retail establishments.
The city ordinance covers qualifying retail employers. Do not assume it applies to every restaurant.
The 2023 County Business Patterns series counts establishments with paid employees, including independent and chain businesses. It does not identify franchise ownership, available territories or how many restaurants are open today.
Limited-service restaurants are reported separately from snack and nonalcoholic beverage establishments, a category that includes many coffee and specialty-snack shops. Both use 2017 NAICS classifications and all legal forms of organization.
Reference year: 2023. Released 2025-06-26; source checked 2026-10-01.
These editorial selections explain published fees and operating requirements. A listing does not establish market share or available territory in California, and national estimates are not local construction quotes.
The brand prefers multi-unit agreements; smaller agreements may be considered. Its requirements page still cites the 2024 FDD.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
Chick-fil-A selects full-time restaurant Operators. Meeting the published minimum requirements does not guarantee selection.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
Recruitment targets multi-unit development; its candidate page calls for a commitment to three to five restaurants in the chosen market.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
The published candidate-funding figures cover buying and operating an existing restaurant. New restaurants require a greater investment.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
Subway is seeking multi-unit applicants and buyers interested in acquiring at least five existing restaurants.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
The US/Canada recruitment page seeks operators who can acquire and develop multiple restaurants where opportunities are available.
United States; confirm the format and territory with the franchisor
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