FAT - Large restaurant chains crush indies as staffing issues persist

e_rasmus/iStock via Getty Images Cowen weighs in on the labor shortages in the restaurant industry after a conference call with industry execs. Restaurant industry labor is running at 88% of the level of 2019 even as consumer demand approaches pre-pandemic levels in certain categories and geographies. Even in states where unemployment benefits have rolled off, operators report challenges attracting younger workers back that have moved on to work in the gig economy that promotes flexibility. Analyst Andrew Charles says chains are much better positioned than independents to handle restaurant staffing shortages. "We argue this presents an opportunity for multi-unit concepts to gain share from independents given more formalized efforts to promote culture (cited as critical by panelists to attract and retain employees), analytics to help with scheduling/pricing, and connections to offer perks in the form of tuition reimbursement, etc." Another crushing blow for independent restaurants is that the labor backdrop

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Large restaurant chains crush indies as staffing issues persist