Lots of jobs, few hires: Labor shortage puts Tampa Bay restaurants in a pinch
Worker advocates say itâs the start of an overdue reckoning for industries that rely on low-wage jobs.
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A marquee at the McDonald s at 1905 N Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa indicates a starting salary of $13 an hour for new hires on May 12. The restaurant had previously offered applicants $50 just for coming in for an interview, a sign of the current high demand for food service workers. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]
At the Oxford Exchange in Tampa, business isnât just back. Itâs booming.
Sales are up 68 percent compared to 2019, said owner Allison Adams. A waitlist for a Motherâs Day brunch listed more than 1,200 people. The restaurantâs reservation system was similarly backlogged for Easter and Valentineâs Day.