The Perfect Storm: How Rising Wages Are Reshaping the Restaurant Industry

5 Min Read By MRM Staff

"The restaurant industry is experiencing its most dramatic shift in labor economics since Ray Kroc standardized the QSR model in the 1950s," said Luke Fryer, Founder and  CEO of Harri, which released its first-ever 2025 Wage & Labor Cost Index. Based on a study of 300 QSR locations, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King, the research offers analysis of the growing disparity in restaurant labor costs and its impact on operational viability across U.S. markets.

Fryer sheds light on the "perfect storm" brewing and offers Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine readers insights into how restaurants can navigate these turbulent times. His analysis covers key challenges from wage disparities and franchising implications to the vital role of technology in building a sustainable future for the industry.

What is the perfect storm you see brewing for the restaurant industry and what factors are fueling it?The phrase “perfect storm” describes restaurant…