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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."
@missadriennek ##noworkershortage #Dicksburgers #payalivingwage #seattle #pnw
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.