Stacie Schaible:
…are leading to hiring headaches for… Staffing shortages are leading to hiring headaches for business owners all over the bay area.
Keith Cate:
Even some of the busiest towns for tourism are struggling to fill positions. Our manatee bureau reporter Allyson Henning is joining us live from Anna Maria Island to explain how one restaurant there is trying to fill the gap.
Allyson Henning:
Hey, Stacie, good evening to you both. So this restaurant here, they’re forced to turn people away almost every day because they just don’t have enough staff to keep up with the demand. So now they’re offering up cash to anyone willing to help fill one of their many open positions. From bartenders, to cooks, servers, and dishwashers, the chateau anna Maria is dealing with staff shortages all around. The family run restaurant is new to the island, their other location is in New York. At the height of the pandemic, owner and partner Buddy Foy Jr. says he saw a bright opportunity in the sunshine state.
Buddy Foy Jr.:
We figured we’re going to have a great tourist season. Let’s get down here. Let’s open up. Let’s be in business. And the customers came like crazy, but guess what? There’s not enough staff to handle the business.
Allyson Henning:
At least 30% of customers are being turned away every night.
Speaker 5:
Oh, I absolutely could do more but if I had 12, 15 more people, I could blow out the side of this restaurant and it’d be huge.
Allyson Henning:
Foy Jr tells 8 On Your Side, a big part of the challenge has been facing a new opponent of sorts in the hospitality industry, unemployment benefits.
Buddy Foy Jr.:
Our competitor is the government and I didn’t think we’d be competing against the government when it comes to pay scale and pay rates.
Allyson Henning:
Health insurance and 401ks are also in the talks for new chateau hires, plus an enticing incentive to anyone willing to help fill the gap.
Buddy Foy Jr.:
We’re offering anyone the offer that recommends anybody to come work for us, $250 incentive check, cash.
Allyson Henning:
So Foy says, despite the struggle to get employees through the door, his family is actively looking into expanding the business here in Florida. He’s hoping promoting from within will soon be another incentive he can add to the list. Live on Anna Maria Island, Allyson Henning, 8 On Your Side.