If Fast Food Jobs “Were for Teenagers,” You Wouldn’t Eat.
The fast-food industry is a large, heavily franchised industry rife with poor working conditions, low pay, and heavy reliance on public support programs, and frequent violations of workplace laws. It’s a familiar refrain when those working in minimum wage jobs such as fast food ask for liveable wages: “Fast food jobs are for teenagers or seniors supplementing their income.” This dismissive attitude overlooks these workers’ essential role in our daily lives and ignores the economic realities they face.
First, consider the practical implications of child labor laws. Teenagers in school are legally restricted in how much they can work. For example, a 14 or 15-year-old can’t work outside of school hours for more than three hours on a school day, and a 16 or 17-year-old can’t work more than four hours. So, if fast food jobs were truly meant for teenagers, who would serve you your morning coffee or lunchtime burger? Adults make up a significant portion of the workforce in these industries because they are necessary to keep these businesses running smoothly throughout the day.
The idea that fast food jobs are only for teenagers or part-time workers is a convenient myth. Adults working these jobs are not anomalies; they are essential. Sixty percent of fast-food workers across the nation are over age 20, and 1 in 5 are over age 35. These workers ensure that services are available when we need them, which requires availability beyond what teenagers can legally provide. Furthermore, many of these adults are working to support themselves and their families, often while trying to improve their circumstances through education or other means.
The majority of families of front-line fast-food workers are enrolled in one or more public programs, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). I.e. you the taxpayer are helping fast food companies spend as little as possible.
We must also question why we think it’s acceptable that an older adult has to resort to standing at a window for hours when they should be relaxing in retirement. This perspective devalues the dignity and hard work of older adults who often take these jobs out of necessity.
Another common argument is that fast food work is not a “career.” Yet, the CEO of McDonald’s earns a staggering $17.8 million annually. If fast food is not a legitimate career, how do we justify the vast disparity between the earnings of those at the top and those on the front lines? The average fast-food worker makes significantly less than the national average salary, yet their labor is no less valuable.
The broader issue at play is economic inequality. Comparing the wages of fast food workers to other professions often misses the point. Instead of questioning why fast-food workers should earn more, we should be questioning why so many professions are underpaid. For example, as an EMT, I earned $19 an hour while handling life-and-death situations. This work, like fast food service, is critical and deserves fair compensation. The fight for a living wage is about fairness across the board, ensuring that all workers are paid justly for their contributions.
Let’s not forget that no one is forcing you to eat fast food or drink Starbucks. Yet, the demand for these services is high because of the convenience they offer. This convenience comes at a price. Workers endure long hours, often in tough conditions, to meet this demand. My experience in fast food was marked by standing on my feet for eight hours, enduring grease burns, and dealing with stressful conditions, all for minimal pay. This work is honest and deserving of dignified wages.
When companies like PG&E raise their rates, we don’t blame the frontline workers. We recognize that corporate decisions drive these changes. The same logic should apply to fast food and other service industries. It’s not the workers’ fault that wages are low; it’s the result of corporate policies aimed at maximizing profits at the expense of fair compensation.
The argument that fast food and service jobs are only for teenagers or those needing supplementary income is deeply flawed. These jobs are essential, demanding, and performed by adults who deserve a living wage. It’s time to challenge the myths and advocate for fair wages across all professions. Everyone deserves to be compensated justly for their labor, and it’s high time we recognize the value of all work, whether it’s serving coffee, flipping burgers, or saving lives.
