Jumping ship is common in the industry. Mr. Upton used to work for Red Lobster in Atlanta. Few restaurant workers stay in one place for long. Mr. Upton said. In addition, restaurant sales have risen dramatically in the past three decades as more and more people eat out, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Restaurants are having an increasingly difficult time finding and keeping employees, managers say.
Instead of advertising its specials on its marquee, Mally's Bagel's and Grits tries to recruit staff. Exempt from minimum wage requirements for certain workers, many restaurants supplement their employees with tips. New restaurants tend to be busy, and that means employees will pick up quick cash. Carrabba's, the latest dining establishment offering Italian fare, opened its doors this week to overflow crowds of Augustans eager to see the new restaurant for themselves. It is a part of the Outback Steakhouse chain.