OT: Restaurants Reducing Capacity

[tom1944]

So allow people in on a work visa like they do in my other industry, IT. Problem solved.

Let’s see if they will agree to that.

They better open up the legal immigration spigot because the US just saw our lowest birth rate in 50 years

 

[DHajekRC84]

Let’s see if they will agree to that.

They better open up the legal immigration spigot because the US just saw our lowest birth rate in 50 years

I would expect it to jump pretty good in 2021 due to lockdown sex.

 

[RU_DIO]

Let’s see if they will agree to that.

They better open up the legal immigration spigot because the US just saw our lowest birth rate in 50 years

They should do that. It's how companies I've worked for filled some IT positions. I believe if the person could stay employed for a certain amount of years then they would be eligible for US citizenship. WIn Win for everyone.

 

[InGregITrust]

Lots of inaccuracies in this thread about the restaurant business. Unemployment benefits are no longer driving worker shortage, at least locally. In the New Brunswick area, there are many options to work (Amazon!) where the hourly wage is better than if making sandwiches at a deli. Of course the deli can raise prices, but the situation is so much more nuanced than that. Either way, the good establishments seem to be increasing business and holding their own.

 

[Joey Bags]

I work in a restaurant part time. Pre-covid I worked 2-3 shifts per week. At the peak of the pandemic, all of my shifts were taken by fulltime workers (which I was okay with). I learned to save a bit more and also make up that lost income in other ways. Now, I only work one shift a week and have no desire to work more than that becauss I have managed to make up that lost money in other ways.



MANY of the workers left after peak pandemic and found more consistent, reliable jobs. Additionally the restaurant I work in never abided by most covid precautions and has been at 100% indoor capacity this entire time (minus bar service). There were workers who felt unsafe and left for those reasons. The health department has been there a few times with no penalties.

In my opinion there are three contributing factors:
1. People left the industry for more consistent income.
2. Some people left because of lack of covid precautions.
3. Some people are collecting unemployment.

Additionally, many restaurants have undergone management and policy changes that make it a difficult work environment. For example, my restaurant imposed a 3% credit card fee on checks that pay via card and 3 of 5 tables get angry and argumentative with me about it which makes my job much less enjoyable.

Things will balance back out eventually and workers will return, I just think the hospitality industry is undergoing a weening out of sorts and needs to “reset” in some ways.

Good post, seems like these are the most logical reasons.

Everyone who thinks raising prices isn’t a big deal is in for a rude awakening. Food and beverage prices were already high before the pandemic, now prices are steadily increasing. It’s caused me to eat out less, money isn’t an issue but I have some very aggressive saving and investing targets right now. This will cause a contraction in the industry, though some could argue there were too many restaurants before the pandemic and we are now moving towards equilibrium.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

I would expect it to jump pretty good in 2021 due to lockdown sex.

For couples living together yes.

Singles are revved up for the summer

 

[R1766U_rivals]

Good post, seems like these are the most logical reasons.

Everyone who thinks raising prices isn’t a big deal is in for a rude awakening. Food and beverage prices were already high before the pandemic, now prices are steadily increasing. It’s caused me to eat out less, money isn’t an issue but I have some very aggressive saving and investing targets right now. This will cause a contraction in the industry, though some could argue there were too many restaurants before the pandemic and we are now moving towards equilibrium.

Great point. I forgot to mention that. Last week my restaurant also increased prices SIGNIFICANTLY. For example, a seafood entrée that used to cost 16.99 is now 29.99. There is an appetizer that was previously 11.99 that is now 16.99.

There is definitely going to be a contraction.

 

[RUevolution36]

I work in a restaurant part time. Pre-covid I worked 2-3 shifts per week. At the peak of the pandemic, all of my shifts were taken by fulltime workers (which I was okay with). I learned to save a bit more and also make up that lost income in other ways. Now, I only work one shift a week and have no desire to work more than that becauss I have managed to make up that lost money in other ways.



MANY of the workers left after peak pandemic and found more consistent, reliable jobs. Additionally the restaurant I work in never abided by most covid precautions and has been at 100% indoor capacity this entire time (minus bar service). There were workers who felt unsafe and left for those reasons. The health department has been there a few times with no penalties.

In my opinion there are three contributing factors:
1. People left the industry for more consistent income.
2. Some people left because of lack of covid precautions.
3. Some people are collecting unemployment.

Additionally, many restaurants have undergone management and policy changes that make it a difficult work environment. For example, my restaurant imposed a 3% credit card fee on checks that pay via card and 3 of 5 tables get angry and argumentative with me about it which makes my job much less enjoyable.

Things will balance back out eventually and workers will return, I just think the hospitality industry is undergoing a weening out of sorts and needs to “reset” in some ways.

The 3% credit card fee situation directly impacts your pay as well, because angry customers tip like crap.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

The negative effects of the shutdowns and other tyrannical govt mandates and measures will continue to rear their ugly head

 

[toby83]

curious if the 3% charge is highlighted on the menu with a sticker or call out?

 

[DHajekRC84]

Lots of inaccuracies in this thread about the restaurant business. Unemployment benefits are no longer driving worker shortage, at least locally. In the New Brunswick area, there are many options to work (Amazon!) where the hourly wage is better than if making sandwiches at a deli. Of course the deli can raise prices, but the situation is so much more nuanced than that. Either way, the good establishments seem to be increasing business and holding their own.

That niece of mine that (now worked) in Princeton just left to get one of those $15/hr jobs.
My best friend's middle aged sister happened to work at the very same upscale rest. with my niece. She has been out since day one and continues to be out because even if the benefits don't 100% cover the lost wages (which they pretty much do) she considers it a government paid vacation.
They are both still a factor.

 

[DHajekRC84]

The negative effects of the shutdowns and other tyrannical govt mandates and measures will continue to rear their ugly head

and it didn't have to be that way. They could have put way better solutions in place to meet both employee/public safety and business/employment needs in place. They choose to kill an industry either out of ignorance or just the usual bureaucratic blindness.
My daughter just left her job with the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce over this mess. Graduated Hospitality/Business 3 years ago and is done with it now.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

and it didn't have to be that way. They could have put way better solutions in place to meet both employee/public safety and business/employment needs in place. They choose to kill an industry either out of ignorance or just the usual bureaucratic blindness.
My daughter just left her job with the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce over this mess. Graduated Hospitality/Business 3 years ago and is done with it now.

Yep. Protect the elderly, the sick, the weak and continue society for the young and healthy like we’ve always done.

 

[tom1944]

Great point. I forgot to mention that. Last week my restaurant also increased prices SIGNIFICANTLY. For example, a seafood entrée that used to cost 16.99 is now 29.99. There is an appetizer that was previously 11.99 that is now 16.99.

There is definitely going to be a contraction.

I picked up a BLT sub and a bag of chips from Jersey Mikes yesterday and it was $18 dollars

 

[tom1944]

and it didn't have to be that way. They could have put way better solutions in place to meet both employee/public safety and business/employment needs in place. They choose to kill an industry either out of ignorance or just the usual bureaucratic blindness.
My daughter just left her job with the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce over this mess. Graduated Hospitality/Business 3 years ago and is done with it now.

Certain businesses boomed. Anything to do without door recreation, playground equipment, pizzerias just to name a few.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Certain businesses boomed. Anything to do without door recreation, playground equipment, pizzerias just to name a few.

yup. winners and losers. hell, I made a killing on the market. but taking advantage of an opportunity is not the same as being closed out.

 

[DHajekRC84]

I picked up a BLT sub and a bag of chips from Jersey Mikes yesterday and it was $18 dollars

$20 with the tip lol. Those subs are great but have always been overpriced (IMHO).
Grabbed a large Turk/Prov. at a small store up near Hawley PA (my son is redoing a house he bought) and you couldn't eat more than half... $10 bucks! (and awesome)