The average hourly wage for the food industry is $17.72 nationwide - the lowest hourly average across all job markets, according to federal data. Low wages are the most common reason why people have left the food service industry, according to a July 2021 study from the UC Berkeley Food Labor Research Center. “Some people can’t even do that.” Workers Want Better Payīusiness owners, industry experts and former restaurant workers have different takes on why has it been so hard to find and retain workers. “These days - I’m not even lying to you - my only requirement for the front of house is please show up,” Kim said. The constant stress of running a restaurant has him making plans to rent Kimski for restaurant pop-ups over the winter so he can have a break, he said. Restaurants are offering more incentives to get people in the door, but it’s not enough for burned out service industry veterans or candidates disillusioned by long hours, cranky customers and grueling work. Credit: Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago Won Kim, owner of Kimski in Bridgeport, helps staff deep clean and organize the restaurant on Aug. One million of those people worked in the restaurant and hospitality industries.Īn average of 771,000 workers a month have left both industries nationwide between February and June data shows. A record high of 4.5 million American workers quit their jobs in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The nationwide scramble for restaurant comes amid a great resignation in the U.S. The staff shortage has forced some Chicago restaurants to close permanently while others cut business hours, scale back service and push employees to work longer hours to stay afloat. Seven out of 10 restaurants nationwide are understaffed and scrambling to retain and attract employees, according to the National Restaurant Association. “They talk about dedication and talk about how hard they’re going to work, and then when push comes to shove … even just one busy night is too much for them to handle. “Everyone interviews really well,” Kim said. But it’s still not enough to keep staffers showing up, he said. Staff make $15 an hour plus tips, taking home about $20-$25 per hour before taxes. Turnover is so high some staff don’t stay longer than a month, Kim said. CHICAGO - Chef Won Kim needs 10 people to fully staff his Bridgeport restaurant, Kimski.
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