Originally Posted by
gaobest
do any of these places offer online order-ahead type service? That could also help? It could also explain why the servers (staffers) are so busy.
Thats fine if it’s the restaurant 1/2 mile from your home. Order and it’s ready when you get there. Not so much when you’re on the interstate and don’t know what’s available until you see the sign at the exit and then have to figure out where you are. And then you still have to get into the drive thru lane to pick your food up.
Originally Posted by
JBord
Two points:
- I skimmed an article the other day about how McDonald's is considering installing more automated ordering - something about how they are testing robotic drive through ordering in 10 Chicago stores. It was due to the labor shortage -- this thread is "server shortage" but the reality is that it's a labor shortage that affects all kinds of jobs, including McDonald's that doesn't have servers. So your instinct is probably right.
- The construction thing baffles me. I'm sure quite a few places used the shutdown to do work, which is smart. Why some aren't done yet is what baffles me. There are at least 2 places near me that are still doing takeout only and saying they're still doing construction. I know, personally, it's been a nightmare hiring contractors to do anything. We've had several give us quotes and then never speak to us again. I've been going back and forth with a mason to do some repair work for two months now and can't get a date on the calendar. But I wouldn't have expected it to impact businesses...I assumed that's why they couldn't do my smaller jobs.
We have tried to get someone to do a remodel project for us this year. Prices are sky high and lead times were typically 6-12 weeks. Then after you have 3 quotes, select a contractor and make a couple small changes, the price goes up thousands because lumber prices and flooring prices continue to escalate. We’ve put it off for the remainder of this year. I’ll keep that much in the bank until the next recession eliminates the lead times and drops the prices (I hope).