We find ourselves in a unique situation. The year 2020 brought the world to a standstill, leading to the closure of restaurants, virtual schooling, and remote work replacing traditional office settings. The fast-food industry, too, experienced a dark period. As a result, many workers found themselves unemployed. However, as the world gradually reopened, fast-food establishments resumed their operations. Yet, contrary to expectations, many former employees chose not to return to their old jobs. The allure of government stimulus packages outweighed the financial benefits of returning to the fast-food industry.
Additionally, concerns about health and safety deterred individuals from facing the public again. This convergence of financial and health-related anxieties created a tumultuous situation for the fast-food sector. The question arose: Where did all the workers go? Now, we must explore how restaurants are coping with this labor shortage. Let us delve deeper.