Labor shortage in southwest Florida

CAPORAL

Jim Rehak and his wife have been loyal customers of Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon in Cape Coral for more than 20 years.

“The customer always comes first,” says Rehak.

But behind the scenes, with a national labor shortage in southwest Florida, employees work twice as hard.

Owner Jay Johnson is just under three cooks.

“That’s a big number because these three represent a day off for my current employees. Some work six days, others seven days, and I have to rest them so they don’t burn out, ”said Johnson.

What happens at Bubba’s happens in restaurants across the country.

Rehak said that even applies to chain restaurants.

“Slower service, service quality here wasn’t that good,” said Rehak.

Johnson said he started fighting after restaurants reopened during the pandemic, but the money is still arriving.

“From an economic point of view, we are almost 40 percent higher than last year. So we’re seeing a big increase in the number, ”said Johnson. “We see a lot more customers.”

Both Johnson and Rehak agree that working from home keeps people away from the restaurant industry.

“Why work when you can stay at home more,” said Rehak. “The travel expenses. With gasoline prices for what they are, you can stay in your pajamas and not even leave the house. “

However, Johnson said he was confident that with more people moving to Southwest Florida, he could find new employees.

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