In an effort to keep low-wage workers' salaries commensurate with the cost of living, a number of states have amended their constitutions to allow the minimum wage to be adjusted with inflation. You are the accountant for a company that owns a chain of 18 fast food restaurants in a state which adjusts the minimum wage for inflation. Each restaurant employs 65 workers, each averaging 20 hours per week at the current federal minimum wage, $7.25 per hour. (a) How many hours at minimum wage are paid out each week by the company? 23,400 hr (b) At the current rate of $7.25 per hour, what is the amount (in $) of the weekly "minimum wage" portion of the restaurant's payroll? $ 169,650.00 (c) If the inflation rate this year is 0.3%, calculate the "adjusted" minimum wage rate (in $ per hour) to be paid next year. (Round your answer to two decimal places.) $ 170,158.95 X per hour (d) How much in "additional wages" will the company have to pay out next year at the adjusted rate (in %)? (Round your answer to the nearest dollar.) $ 508.95 X (e) Suggest some ways that the restaurant chain or other small businesses can offset the increase in payroll and subsequent decrease in profit as a result of the minimum wage hike. A restaurant chain or other small business could increase in selling prices of the products and services and reduce employee hours. Go to www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm and click on your state to find the current minimum wage