One of the West Coast's most coveted fast-food chains has quietly raised prices in California thanks to a minimum wage increase — and most customers haven't even noticed.

In-N-Out confirmed in a statement to local outlet KTVU this week that the burger chain has been gradually raising prices across the state in what the company says is an effort to offset new costs associated with the minimum wage.

“On April 1, we raised our prices incrementally to accompany a pay increase for all associates working in our California restaurants. The price increase was also necessary to maintain our quality standards,” an employee told the newspaper. company spokesperson.

Connected: In-N-Out Burger Is Opening New Locations Outside California – Here's Where It's Going Next

April 1 was also California Day the new minimum wage The Fast Food Workers Act went into effect mandating workers in the industry to be paid at least $20 an hour.

There are stipulations in the law that mean that for a fast food chain to adopt it, there must be 60 or more restaurants (which are without table servers) in the chain and that customers must pay for their food in advance. .

According to ReallyThe average In-N-Out retail sales associate is paid $20.66 per hour and the average cashier is paid $17.30 per hour.

The minimum wage in California is currently $16 an hour.

Connected: A major Burger King franchisee in California says it can't open drive-through kiosks fast enough because of the state's new $20 fast food minimum wage

“Offering the highest wages in the industry is one way to attract the best people to take care of our customers,” In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder. wrote in her book Ins-N-Outs and In-N-Out Burger: The Inside Story of California's First Ride and How It Became a Beloved Cultural Icon, which was published last year. “We pay well.”

Although prices vary by location, local outlet KTLA reported that a Double-Double combo at In-N-Out locations in Los Angeles County now costs $11.44, an increase of $0.76 from last year.

The burger chain, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last fall, announced in November that it would expand beyond its current seven states (California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado) and open restaurants in New Mexico and Tennessee.

Connected: In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder: “We pay well,” managers $180K

The price hikes at In-N-Out come as the fast-food industry is weak Review as consumers noticed increases in menu prices across the country.

Chains like McDonald's AND Wendy's have increased the value of meal options in recent months to lure loyal customers.