evidence: Howard Behar, the former president of Starbucks, expressed a different view at a conference organized by the Washington Policy Center. "You're going to see more automation. … Don't be surprised if Starbucks goes to all-cashless payment," because then Starbucks wouldn't have to employ cashiers. Even after Starbucks sheds workers, Behar calculates, the $15-an-hour wage mandate will make a $5.20 order cost $6.20. That dollar might not seem like much if you're making six figures at Microsoft or Amazon. But higher retail prices raise dramatically the cost of living for those in the middle class.