2 Oklahoma restaurants, 2 very different views on SQ 832

Oklahoma’s minimum wage debate: 2 Oklahoma restaurants, 2 very different views on SQ 832

It’s a tale of two restaurants on opposite sides of State Question 832, which would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage. While some say it’s about time, others have raised concerns about whether they will be able to keep their doors open.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

The minimum wage debate is making its way through restaurants across Oklahoma. While some say it’s about time, others have raised concerns about whether they will be able to keep their doors open.

It’s a tale of two restaurants on opposite sides of State Question 832. At Superfly in northwest Oklahoma City, they said pay should keep up with neighboring states.

“Oklahoma shouldn’t be behind our neighbors. We should be leading in how we take care of our citizens,” said Derek Ott, an Oklahoma City restaurant investor at Superfly.

In Edmond, at Pho Bistro, they said a minimum wage increase could push restaurants over the edge.

“Inflation hasn’t broken us. The tariffs didn’t break us. Eight years. COVID didn’t break my son,” said Frank Centauri, operations manager at Pho Bistro restaurant in Edmond. “It’s going to be tough.”

>> Video Below: As Oklahoma weighs SQ 832, Nebraska offers clues on what raising minimum wage could mean

If voters pass State Question 832, Oklahoma’s minimum wage would gradually rise to $15 an hour by 2029. That could continue to rise with inflation.

Some very small businesses are included in exemptions. The two restaurants KOCO spoke with said it would not apply to them.

Supporters and opponents of the measure each connected KOCO with Oklahoma City restaurants to hear both sides.

Opponents echo the message of climbing costs for customers.

“We’ve always paid them above the state minimum wage, above $7.25. If we have to start raising the floor to $15, even though this is supposed to be a gradual increase, it’s going to immediately drive our costs up,” Centauri said.

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Those in favor said to look at neighboring states, where the minimum wage is already higher than the federal $7.25 pay.

“If Arkansas, Missouri, and Nebraska can do this, we can too. This is important, and this is a way to help take care of fellow Oklahomans,” Ott said.

Both emphasized that voters should weigh their options carefully.

“The market will determine wages. It inevitably does. That’s our free enterprise system, and I’m not saying that to advance any political ideology. It’s just a free enterprise system,” Centauri said.

“This will make a big difference to an awful lot of families and an awful lot of kids,” Ott said.

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