Five Ways to Take on the Labor Shortage and Win
Dec 23, 2022
The labor shortage has impacted restaurants of every type in every market - and for small businesses, the lack of workers is much worse than supply chain disruptions and higher food prices.

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that 48% of business owners had job openings that were hard to fill – a 47-year high. 90% of those owners reported few qualified applicants for the positions they needed to fill.

In addition, the NFIB survey found that over 60% of business owners reported a labor shortage, and over 20% described the need as "critical" to their business.

But all is not lost. Sociologists say that businesses become creative and innovative when they reach a critical point.


Here are five ways to take on the labor shortage and win.


Retention is critical in beating the labor shortage.
Retaining people is easier and less expensive than hiring, and keeping the good ones is essential. But even keeping bad employees on until you find someone to replace them is sometimes necessary.

Higher wages and better benefits can keep employees onboard.
63% of business owners have raised wages to deal with the shortage. Twenty-three percent plan to raise compensation in the coming months, 13% have increased paid time off, and 13% have instituted a signing bonus. Other perks include more flexible working hours, training opportunities, and maternity and paternity leave.

Implement new technologies
Automation plays a significant role in filling staff roles and responsibilities. Many fast food and fast casual restaurants are installing self-ordering kiosks, helping reduce or eliminate the need for counter help. Touch-screen ordering and payment kiosks also increase efficiency because customers make fewer errors when placing orders, and help minimize front-of-the-house staff costs. Simply installing a single self-checkout kiosk can reduce the cost of doing business while making the process more efficient resulting in a better customer experience.

Robots in restaurants – not a fantasy any longer
Automation has become intriguing for restaurants as they look to fulfill increased demand with fewer workers and combat rising wages and food costs. More and more restaurants are using robots for many tasks, including preparing, cooking, and serving meals. Robots can also deliver food and drinks tableside without spilling a drop. Using a robot can save over 60% on labor costs.

OrionStar USA is a leader in developing new robotic technology to counteract the significant challenges within the hospitality industry: labor shortages and employee efficiency. Today, OrionStar USA's lineup includes their AI Robot Greeter Mini and Lucki, a delivery robot that can handle many front-of-house responsibilities allowing staff to focus on more important tasks.

Business owners take on more work.
The NFIB found that 79% of owners are working more hours themselves. Forty-one percent offered more work hours to part-time employees and 60% to full-time workers. Thirty percent shortened their business hours, and others have reduced the number of products or services sold. To round out the variety of efforts to deal with the worker shortage, 29% of businesses introduced new labor-saving technologies. Would you like to implement some new strategies in your business but need the cash to get started?

Since 2005, Quikstone has provided millions of dollars in working capital to merchants for their business needs. Our process is easy, fast, and flexible. There's a simple one-page application, no collateral is needed, and if your business accepts credit cards, you could qualify for up to $250,000. 80% of our customers are so happy with our service that they return for additional capital. Contact us today for a no-cost or obligation consultation. We’re ready to help you grow.

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