A TikTok video featuring a burger restaurant located in Kent, Washington, where employees are paid $20 an hour sparked a polarizing debate online about labor shortages and appropriate wages for fast-food workers.
According to TikTok user @missadriennek, Dick's Drive-in is staffed with 15 employees who are paid $20 an hour.
She posted a video showing the seemingly fully-staffed establishment running efficiently with a short line of customers patiently waiting for their orders outside.
"Wanna know why?" she said of the civil display, before explaining she was able to buy:
"Two cheeseburgers, another cheeseburger, two orders of fries, a shake, and a float, less than 20 bucks."
"Can't beat it."
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So far, the video was seen over 612,000 times and received over 8,000 comments.
One user pointed out that raising the minimum wage would consequently raise consumer prices was not a valid argument.
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
Those opposed to the $20 minimum wage at Dick's raised their voices in protest.
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
According to the Dick's website, the base wage for employees "varies from $19 an hour to $20 an hour."
In addition to full health benefits and offering childcare assistance, the Seattle-based company also provides access to a $28,000 scholarship benefit after employees pass their first skills test–which can take as little as six weeks.
Some suggested the video was evidence the labor shortage was a direct result of low wages.
@missadriennek/TikTok
Some wondered why there was so much opposition to people earning a "decent wage" in the country.
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
@missadriennek/TikTok
Despite offering its employees a higher minimum wage, the company's website noted Dick's could be facing a staffing shortage.
"Due to staffing and supply issues, we are not accepting any larger orders over 50 burgers at this time," read the note seen on their home page.
@thekalenallen/Threads
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