Charlotte Restaurants Struggle To Fill Staff Positions As COVID Restrictions Loosen

Drew Bollea,

CHARLOTTE, NC –Β  A restaurant worker shortage is impacting businesses across the country and in Charlotte. While businesses are bustling with loosened COVID restrictions, many restaurants are struggling to fill their staffs.

β€œOne of the worst staffing shortages we’ve had in 30 years. Our CEO, Frank, has been doing this since 1992 and he’s never seen anything like it,” said Remy Thurston. He is the Marketing Director for FS Food Group.

They own several restaurants including Yafo Kitchen and Mama Ricotta’s.Β  He says they don’t have a full staff at any establishment.

Everyone is hiring at the same time. And many former workers have gone on to find other work during the pandemic. Including jobs at amazon, other retail, uber, and food delivery.

β€œA lot of the hourly workers who we normally rely on probably went to another industry that was still functioning regularly,” said Thurston.

The mass exodus has left huge voids for nearly every position in a kitchen. Many people are working overtime.

β€œThe bartenders are making great money because it’s really busy and they don’t have to share the shifts with anyone. Unfortunately, it also means they’re getting burnt out,” explained Thurston.

But it’s not sustainable. Some fast food restaurants have altered hours due to low staffing.

Signs were put up at the Arby’s in Pineville. They say they’ll be closed on Sundays due to short staffing and to allow workers to rest.

In 2008 The construction industry lost 60% of its workforce when the housing bubble burst and home building screeched to a halt. The crash resulted in skilled worker shortages that are still felt today.

Meanwhile, Thurston says they’re hoping to hire college students this summer and they’re looking into simplifying menus to ease pressure on staff.

β€œMake sure that it doesn’t affect, A,Β  the level of service that people have come to expect from us and B, the consistency and food quality that people have come to expect from us,” said Thurston.