The hiring crunch seems to be easing for New Orleans restaurants, but inflation and other factors are driving up their costs.
Scot Craig, owner of Katie's in Mid-City, says in addition to increasing food costs, he is also paying for extra security amid rising crime in the city.
"We have private security around the clock," Craig told WWL's Tommy Tucker. "We just want to make out customers and our employees feel safe."
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Craig says his energy costs have also increased by about a third.
He has also had to deal with rising payroll, but Craig says he doesn't mind that nearly as much.
"At least that's going to a positive cause: my people are making more money," he said. "I don't have a problem with that because it makes for a happy workplace."