Rubio’s Coastal Grill, a beloved restaurant chain known for its fish tacos, is indeed closing 48 locations in California due to the “rising cost of doing business.” These closures represent about a third of the Rubio’s locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Here are the key points:
- Reason for Closures:
- The decision to close these locations was influenced by the increasing costs associated with operating in California.
- Minimum wage hikes, such as the recent increase from $16 to $20 per hour, have put additional pressure on businesses like Rubio’s.
- The rising costs, combined with other financial challenges, led to the closures.
- Distribution of Closures:
- Of the 48 locations, 24 are in the Los Angeles area, 13 are in San Diego (where the company is headquartered), and 11 are in Northern California.
- Residents who enjoy Rubio’s “Fresh Mex” style of food expressed disappointment, but experts note that businesses near the shutdown margin are particularly vulnerable to cost increases.
- Remaining Locations:
- Impact on Workers:
- The company has not yet disclosed how many workers will lose their jobs due to these abrupt closures.
- Unfortunately, this trend extends beyond Rubio’s, with approximately 10,000 fast food workers losing their jobs in California over the last nine months.
Popular California fast food chain closing 48 locations due to ‘rising cost of doing business’. Details: https://t.co/44bbqRXXm8 pic.twitter.com/7OQNw3HmeX
— KTLA (@KTLA) June 3, 2024