The big burger chains make billions of dollars a year while paying workers less than it takes to survive. McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's have franchised a McPoverty business model that leaves workers unable to support themselves, shifts costs to the public, and lowers consumer demand. When workers aren't paid enough to even afford basics like food and rent, they can't build a better future, or help create prosperity in their community. McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's can afford to pay workers enough to support themselves & contribute to the economy. The big three chains serve billions & billions of burgers at more than 24,000 locations across the country (including 25 in Seattle), and they make billions and billions of dollars doing it. McDonald's alone banked $5.6 billion in profit just last year, with a profit margin of 20%. Even the franchised stores in these chains are typically owned by large and profitable corporations that control hundreds of locations.
Fast food workers are calling on Seattle to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th. The mass citywide boycott will call on the big burger chains will to lead by example and implement a $15 wage that transforms McPoverty into middle-out prosperity. Higher pay is good for workers and good for the whole economy, because more money for more people means more customers for every business out there — you can contribute a whole lot more to the economy at $15 an hour than you can at $9.32.