(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A labor shortage is forcing some west suburban restaurants to get creative in hiring as they move to full capacity.
Dick O’Gorman is using a publicist to spread the word about openings at his Wheaton steakhouse Ivy. He only lost four of his 52 employees over the past year but needs cooks or wait staff for his growing dining space that includes an outdoor tent.
A job fair held by the Downtown Wheaton Association two weeks ago didn’t provide him any leads, he said.
Executive Director Elle Withall said they’re planning another one because business owners are struggling to find enough workers.
One business hired someone, even though they can only work one day a week. High school students are filling the gaps, too, but Withall points out they can’t serve alcohol.
Independent restaurants can’t compete with signing bonuses that national chains can offer, Withall said, and they don’t have much cash to increase pay because of the rough pandemic.
She said she attended a ribbon-cutting Monday for a new restaurant that can’t actually open yet because they don’t have enough employees.
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