Arizona’s minimum wage is now $11 an hour. The increase went into effect on Jan. 1. While the bump is welcome news for some, others are concerned about the long term effects. Steve Chucri is the president of the Arizona Restaurant Association.
"You’ll see a continual increase with menu prices going up, one, and two, you’re going to see some restaurants continue to cut staff and, unfortunately, some restaurants close because this has brought them to a tipping point," he said.
Chucri said some restaurant operators will also turn to technology in order to save money.
Arizona voters decided to once again to support the minimum wage increase in November after a Republican lawmaker proposed a repeal of the hike that originally went into effect in 2016.