In many cities for many of them, with the hours they have to work, the split shifts they are forced into, and the wage theft management is guilty of, yes, many of them are essentially zombies.
Nope, they just accrue debt because there's no other way to live in this society at that pay scale unless someone has very convenient living conditions (such as not needing a car).
It also depends where you live. Every day I pass a Wendy's in Redwood City with a big sign advertising a $10.15 starting pay (which is still only $1.15 over CA minimum wage).