In a sharp reversal, restaurants that once grappled with widespread pandemic-induced layoffs are now struggling to find enough workers to fill positions as diners return and business begins to rebound.
Across the country, many restaurant owners have pointed to unemployment benefits as the reason people aren't applying for jobs, but the rank and file of the restaurant industry say the lack of workers is the result of a widespread exodus from an already unforgiving industry, which was made even more unforgiving by the pandemic.
According to a report from the National Restaurant Association, employment in restaurants and bars has been on a steady incline since the beginning of the year. But the restaurant industry is still down 1.8 million jobs from pre-pandemic employment levels, with full-service restaurants experiencing the most significant job losses since February 2020.
Click here to read more from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.
Get DFW local news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC DFW newsletters.
