General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRadical Fast Food Joint Doubles Down on High Wages
In August, I spoke with the owners of Moo Cluck Moo, a Detroit-area burger and chicken fast-food joint that is aiming to do something revolutionary: pay far more than the minimum wage. In an industry that treats labor as a commodity, co-owners Brian Parker and Harry Moorhouse decided to turn the conventional wisdom on its head. Theyd start workers at $12 an hour, and design their business so that it could run profitably at those wages. Rather than take advantage of the epic slack in the Detroit-area labor market, theyd aim to set a slightly higher standard.
In exchange for paying higher wages, Moo Cluck Moos owners got better service, more skilled and committed employees, and a lot of free publicity. After our article, Moo Cluck Moo was featured on outlets like Huffington Post and MSNBC. Meanwhile, executives at other chains were crouched in a defensive pose as workers walked out over low wages.
Now, Moo Cluck Moo is doubling down on its high-wage strategy. Brian Parker says that beginning October 1, the company will start employees at $15 an hour. Thats a 25 percent increase from $12, and it represents the living wage level that workers are demanding and that many critics regard as foolish.
............................
Now, a reality check. Moo Cluck Moo, which has been in business for less than a year, has a single restaurant. And while it is an improvement over $12 an hour, $15 an hour is hardly a princely sum. Annualized, its about $31,200. But its a start. And it is refreshing to see businesspeople designing companies that can accommodate above-market wages. Every day Moo Cluck Moo is open, it stands as a rebuke to an industry that says it can only function by paying crappy wages.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/09/radical-fast-food-joint-doubles-down-on-high-wages.html
last1standing
(11,709 posts)I've been there a few times now and can say that I've had nothing that wasn't top quality and delicious. If you're in the area, make the trip.
www.moocluckmoo.com
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Telegraph and Joy is way the other side of town for me.
Next time I am out that way I will try to remember to stop in. Thanks for the input.
last1standing
(11,709 posts)I don't eat out much but when I do, this is a very good choice and worth the drive. Do not go without trying their shakes. The black cherry dream was insanely good. they use a micro-brewed soda company from upstate and Calder's ice cream. Both are non-HFCS.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)Thanks!
It does sound good. I think I will bookmark the site on my phone to help me remember.
ybbor
(1,554 posts)I live in Ann Arbor, and work in Brighton, but its menu looks amazing. My family is out of town for the week, and that sounds like my dinner tomorrow night. Now that Blimpy Burger is closed, I need to find a new burger joint.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)mbperrin
(7,672 posts)I looked at the menu, and the prices are CHEAPER than the burger places here, and right in line with just about every other fast food. Burger, fries, and drink for $11 - good deal!
And I promise the ingredients here are not as good as the ingredients they describe!
last1standing
(11,709 posts)I strongly suggest the shakes.
As for coming to Texas, they do have investment opportunities on the site. If you're interested in what I think would be a good investment, contact them to start a franchise.
mbperrin
(7,672 posts)I seriously am going to pass this along to a friend who has the local Subways and McAlister's.
Uncle Joe
(58,363 posts)last1standing
(11,709 posts)They don't overstuff your bag with fries like Five Guys but they give you a decent portion of high quality food. I hate to call it fast food because it's so much better.
I can get a burger with fries and soda (pop here in Michigan) for $6.00 which I believe would be comparable to anyplace else. But instead of getting a meal filled with hormones, high fructose corn syrup and a thousand other additives, the beef is 100% vegetarian fed without any hormones or anti-biotics, buns are made fresh onsite, the fries are cooked in red palm fruit/sunflower oil, and even the soda is a micro-brew (if that's what you call it) from northern Michigan made from real sugar. If you get a shake, the ice cream comes from a local dairy that I've been going to for years that's known for the best dairy products in the area.
Look over their site, you'll be impressed.
Uncle Joe
(58,363 posts)Thanks for the reply.
last1standing
(11,709 posts)It's nice to find a place where the food actually tastes like food and the workers seem glad to serve you.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)1-Old-Man
(2,667 posts)Despite what you hear from people in New York a $63,000 family income will put you square in the middle class pretty much anywhere in the United States with plenty of room to spare.
meow2u3
(24,764 posts)Do you hear that, McDonalds? Do YOU hear that, Burger King? This is the right way to treat your employees!
stewert
(3,509 posts)I would bet that they will get more business once the word gets out that they pay a decent wage, I believe most people would even pay a little extra, knowing their workers make good money.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)glowing
(12,233 posts)On Edit: BTW, don't tell me they are crap starter jobs for afterschool kids to take on. We already know this isn't true, Kids are going to school part of the day and only make up about 1/2 of the McJob's staff workers... Also, the last time I looked, tuition to go to college has skyrocketed; it's literally the next bust cycle now that college debt outweighs home loans, so obviously, these kids need more money to live off of, and if they aren't college bound, they still need money to live. I hate the argument that kids don't need that much money, BS, they do. Factoring in the cost of say a car, insurance, cell phone, entertainment, and savings, yeah, they do need it because their parents don't have it to give anymore after this latest depression like economy for "Main St" and things not really getting so awesome that people aren't counting all their pennies.
Cairycat
(1,706 posts)If you had a choice, would you rather put your parents in a home that had people who were paid a living wage, or one where people were paid as little as possible? (This assumes them needing more care than can be provided at home.)
Don't you think that could make a big difference in the care provided?
idwiyo
(5,113 posts)Romulox
(25,960 posts)I will have to give it a try, just to support their policies.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,501 posts)dionysus
(26,467 posts)rl6214
(8,142 posts)Well done, now give lessons to McDonald's.
demwing
(16,916 posts)I only make 10% more than that, and am still fine in Florida, even though the rent is too damn high!
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,501 posts)ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,501 posts)moochers.... Blah.. blah.. blah!!''
TheDeputy
(224 posts)If you build it, they will come! Give us an alternative! I will gladly pay a little more for quality service. If my $6 meal becomes a $7.50 meal served with a smile, I am all for it.