100% this I worked my way through college working at a fucking applebees and it sucked shit. Pay is way better then other minimum wage jobs though with the tips depending on the place. It honestly motivated me to get through college and get a good job. My wife was doing the same, olive garden though, during the "pandemic" and she never went back after got a better job after some trade schooling. I don't doubt some more people have died but I am just not seeing it in my community nobody I know even tangentially has died could just be lucky. Like you say I think people re assessed their priorities and finally had financial breathing room with stimulus money during covid and many are not coming back to the service industry. Everywhere around me good high paying jobs are in short supply but every restraunt and retail outlet has hiring signs.
Word I didn't say it wasn't bad before just that people had more options because of all the unemployment extra money and they changed industries permanently. The short staffing is changing the industry for sure.
100% this I worked my way through college working at a fucking applebees and it sucked shit. Pay is way better then other minimum wage jobs though with the tips depending on the place. It honestly motivated me to get through college and get a good job. My wife was doing the same, olive garden though, during the "pandemic" and she never went back after got a better job after some trade schooling. I don't doubt some more people have died but I am just not seeing it in my community nobody I know even tangentially has died could just be lucky. Like you say I think people re assessed their priorities and finally had financial breathing room with stimulus money during covid and many are not coming back to the service industry. Everywhere around me good high paying jobs are in short supply but every restraunt and retail outlet has hiring signs.
Restaurant work has always been like that. I did it for years at multiple different bars/restaurants.
Word I didn't say it wasn't bad before just that people had more options because of all the unemployment extra money and they changed industries permanently. The short staffing is changing the industry for sure.