Restaurant owners explain why you should limit time to avoid burnout – CBS Chicago

Chicago (CBS) – Some Chicago restaurants are changing their hours of operation.

It is not due to a shortage of customers. It is a labor shortage.

Read more: The devastated family remember an accident in which four young men killed in Hickory Hills split their car in half.

Jackie Kostek of CBS2 works in Chicago and reports what restaurateurs are up against.

CBS 2 spoke with the owner of Moe’s Cantina, which owns three other restaurants in Chicago. Moe’s is currently closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays due to a shortage of restaurant workers.

“We have no employees. We don’t have lunch. We don’t accept brunch, ”said Sam Sanchez, owner of Moe’s Cantina. “Depending on the employee’s fatigue, there are days when we have to close the branch. “

Sanchez owns four restaurants across Chicago.

“Opening all four places for lunch, brunch, everything would require around 300 employees,” says Sanchez.

Sanchez is far from the only owner in town struggling to increase its workforce.

Sam Toia is president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. He said many restaurants need to limit their operations to avoid employee burnout.

“Many restaurateurs are closed one day a week in order to be able to give vacations to members of their team,” explains Toia. “Because they can’t work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. You’re just going to kill them.

The restaurant industry is tough in good times, Toia says, but the pandemic has created unemployment, childcare issues and a labor shortage complicated by workers finding new ones. opportunities.

“Many people in the hospitality industry have turned to other industries such as Amazon, UPS and the cannabis industry,” explains Toia.

Sanchez and Toia believe these workers are dead forever, but like farm workers, they are now pushing for new legislation that will provide work visas for immigrants coming to the United States to work in the hospitality industry. ..

Between that and offering higher wages, more flexible hours and bonuses, Sanchez is doing what he can to weather the storm.

So when will this storm pass?

Read more: Twice every 7 hours shooting on the Dan Ryan Freeway No injuries were reported

Toia said a smooth journey would not be possible until the convention and conference industry was revived. And it can be for a while.

“We see a pretty difficult situation here, probably for 12 to 18 months,” explains Toia.

Moe’s Cantina is far from the only place we currently use.

Alinea Group and Navy Pier are hosting career fairs on their respective sites on Thursday July 15th.

Job seekers have the opportunity to speak with representatives from several pier-wide companies, including:

* American dogs and burgers

* Aramark

* Garrett popcorn store

* Make history * Margarita Building

* Taiko’s belly

* Coastal tour

* Navy Pier store

After. You can attend the event for free. Registration is not compulsory.

Other news: At least 10 people were killed and 49 were injured in gun violence over the weekend in Chicago. Eight surviving victims under 18

Click here More information on the restaurants of Linear group..