Sacramento Chick-fil-A starts paying $18/hour

Today's WP reports that a Chick-fil-A franchise in Sacramento will bump up its starting hourly wage from $12-13 to $17-18.  The current minimum wage in California is $11, so this decision is clearly being made with the franchise's self interest in mind.  Quote from the owner Eric Mason:

As the owner, I'm looking at it big-picture and long-term.  What that does for the business is provide consistency, someone that has relationships with our guests, and it's going to be building a long-term culture.  

The business case for the raise is based on the franchise's ability to attract and retain qualified workers.  Mason certainly will have less difficulty filling open positions for the next few years.

Will other fast food franchisees follow suit?  The national unemployment rate is below 4 percent, labor force participation has not increased and immigration is being actively discouraged on multiple fronts.  So you might have to pay more the next time you crave some nuggets and waffle fries.