There were slightly more workers per restaurant in 2015 than in 2001, according to data compiled for Reuters by the National Restaurant Association, which opposes minimum wage hikes. Restaurants employ more low-wage workers than any other industry, and their operators are among the most vocal opponents of minimum wage hikes. While any rise in the minimum wage puts pressure on restaurant operators, they said a robot revolution in the US$783bil (RM3.2tril) US restaurant industry is still years away. More states are considering such measures, and Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has vowed to increase the federal minimum wage. Maintenance of automated systems can be costly and, when they break down, bring operations to a screeching halt, alienating customers, restaurant operators said.

Source: The Star October 05, 2016 23:03 UTC