Almost 40% of California restaurants are struggling to pay rent, according to a recent report.
One of the biggest issues is 350,000 unfilled restaurant positions.
Bruce Stein, the general manager of Fromin’s Restaurant & Deli in Santa Monica, said hiring has been a huge issue.
"Everyone's in the same boat," he told NBC 4. “We're all trying to find people. You can't walk past a restaurant without seeing a help wanted sign."
Stein told the news outlet he tried to offer higher pay and hiring bonuses. He added that he thought former employees would return after the extended unemployment benefits ended, but many found jobs elsewhere.
The restaurant, like many other restaurants in the state, relief on the California revitalization fund until it ran out of money.
Many restaurants and bars have resorted to taking creative measures to keep businesses going. During the pandemic, some restaurants and bars sold mixed drinks for takeout. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would allow restaurants to keep doing that for five more years.
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