Want a job? Can you breathe?
Dennis Buck, owners of several Subways franchises around San Antonio, says keeping his businesses staffed has pretty much come down to that.
“Hiring has been difficult. Basically if anyone walks in the door and says they are looking for a job it’s like, ‘Can you breath?’ We pretty much hire anyone who walks in the door.”
Economic data gathered by Chuck McShane found that during the pandemic fast food restaurant workers by the scores pivoted to working in building material and garden supply stores where the average pay is $17.48 an hour.
“We’ve increased our pay fairly significantly going from $10 to $13 an hour for late night shifts. But it’s still difficult in terms of trying to attract people to work even at that rate,” says Buck.
The reasons being cited for staffing issues are child care; mental health; options for finding an easier, less taxing job.
“We’ve done fairly well with hiring and staffing,” adds Buck, “but we’re still short staffed, but better than a lot. I know some stores that have closed several locations just because a lack of staffing.”
Turnover rates at low-paying fast food restaurant type-positions is up 144%.
photo: Getty Images