From servers to bartenders and cooks to cleaners, turnover in the restaurant industry is alarmingly fast. Restaurants, in particular, have an unfortunate history of underpaying and overworking their employees. The real reason servers aren't showing up However, recent labor reports prove this isn't true and that staffing issues are more complicated than one factor. Many critics and some foodservice employers are under the false impression that no one 'wants to work' anymore or that the extended, additional unemployment benefits are the only culprit of the shortage. After more than a year of working amidst pandemic uncertainty and panic, these workers are fed up with the lack of employee rewards, high risks, long hours and low pay. 'The Great Resignation' that gained steam over the summer saw more than 706,000 food service workers leave their jobs in restaurants, dining facilities, bars and hotels in May. We are facing a critical labor shortage in the U.S., particularly hourly restaurant and hospitality workers. One example: Indiana University's catering department dropped from 100 staffers to just 10 in 2021. Even university dining halls are struggling to accommodate hungry students because of staffing challenges.

It wasn't that much of a better picture 4 months ago as restrictions started to ease, but it's become acute today.

Across the U.S., more restaurants are restricting their hours or simply shutting down altogether because there's no one available to work.

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