Going Nowhere Fast: Limited Occupational Mobility in the Fast Food Industry

Front-line jobs in the fast food industry—including cooks, cashiers, delivery workers, and other non-managerial positions—rank among the lowest-paying occupations in the U.S. economy. In response to growing criticism, industry spokespersons have defended low wages for front-line fast food workers by arguing that these jobs serve as stepping stones to higher-paying managerial positions, as well as to opportunities to eventually own and operate a fast food franchise. These claims, however, are not supported by the facts.

This report, produced by the National Employment Law Project, documents limited economic mobility for front-line workers in the fast-food industry.