In this case, the franchisees (small business owners) are saying the big business (McDonalds, which makes its money off of real estate and franchise fees) is going to be fine but they (the people that make money from owning a restaurant) are in trouble.
For many of them, it’s true; they didn’t consider whether they could open this business if they had to pay a living wage. Unfortunately, that’s not our problem, but it won’t be a problem for McDonalds either.