Server shortages
#271
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
We stopped at Zoe’s Kitchen for lunch. It’s one of those restaurants where you place your order at the counter, pay and the food is brought to you when it’s ready, There was a sign on the door stating that they would close daily at 4:00 pm, for which they were sorry. No mention of a reason. They seemed adequately staffed at lunchtime (about 2:30).
#272
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,255
Zoe’s actually does a lot of their cooking on-site so if you find one with good cooks, they can be awesome by fast casual standards. Unfortunately that’s not the case for all their outposts.
#273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,238
I’ve only been in two. It’s been a couple years since I was in the one at Pier Park II in Panama City Beach. We wore out the one in Asheville last August since it was less than a mile from our AirBnB. It’s every bit as good this year but we’re in a different part of the city. I feel like the menu’s changed in a year but I couldn’t say how. Back home, we’re at least 45 minutes from the nearest. Too bad. I think it’s an excellent chain.
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL Lost Luggage
Programs: Kettle with Kryptonium Medallion Tags
Posts: 10,268
Cava Group acquried Zoe's Kitchen in 2018
Some bad news for you:
Link: CNBC - Cava looks to convert Zoe's restaurants as it sets its sights on growth in suburbia (March 15, 2021)
The restaurant's parent, Cava Group, acquired Zoe's Kitchen in late 2018, taking the company private. The group said its new real estate portfolio of 288 stores allows it to expand into new suburban markets more quickly, as it can convert a Zoe's into a Cava location in half the time it takes to open a brand new restaurant — and at a lower cost.Last year, the Washington, D.C.-based company did seven conversions of Zoe's locations and there are 12 in development for 2021. About 80% of Cava's sites are in suburban markets.
"We see the ability to unlock significant revenue growth in Zoe's real estate when we convert it to a Cava location," CEO Brett Schulman told CNBC. As a privately held company, Cava does not publicly report its annual revenue.
"We see the ability to unlock significant revenue growth in Zoe's real estate when we convert it to a Cava location," CEO Brett Schulman told CNBC. As a privately held company, Cava does not publicly report its annual revenue.
#275
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Some bad news for you:
Link: CNBC - Cava looks to convert Zoe's restaurants as it sets its sights on growth in suburbia (March 15, 2021)
Link: CNBC - Cava looks to convert Zoe's restaurants as it sets its sights on growth in suburbia (March 15, 2021)
#276
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,792
Shortage is so desperate in a somewhat-isolated area near me that some are organising volunteers to work as wait and restaurant staff. It is suggested restaurant operators make a in lieu of wage donation to selected charities.
https://www.coastreporter.net/local-...teries-4217398
As COVID-19 restrictions began being lifted, a group of golfing friends hosted a barbecue where the main topic of conversation was the struggles of local restaurants, particularly being unable to find staff to work. The retirees decided to take matters into their own hands, and offer up their time in whatever way the restaurants needed them, whether hosting, cleaning tables, food preparation or acting as delivery drivers.
Instead of an hourly pay rate (minimum wage in B.C. is $15.20), business owners can make a suggested donation of $10-12 per hour to the food bank or Habitat for Humanity.
Instead of an hourly pay rate (minimum wage in B.C. is $15.20), business owners can make a suggested donation of $10-12 per hour to the food bank or Habitat for Humanity.
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Aug 24, 2021 at 8:24 pm
#277
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: PDX, OGG or between the two
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 2,859
Shortage is so desperate in a somewhat-isolated area near me that some are organising volunteers to work as wait and restaurant staff. It is suggested restaurant operators make a in lieu of wage donation to selected charities.
https://www.coastreporter.net/local-...teries-4217398
https://www.coastreporter.net/local-...teries-4217398
#278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,526
Dairy Queen capitola on saturday was so understaffed that it was drive-through only. The car in front of us had a single ice cream cone.
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,792
#280
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,254
They get duct taped to their chair. Put a sign around their neck explaining their poor behavior.
#282
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,238
Yesterday we stopped at Asheville Pizza and Brewing, one of three locations. This was our third attempt. My recollection of years past was that they were open 7 days a week. That is no longer the case. In past years, there has been table service. That is no longer the case. There is now a line that ends at 2 bartender who take orders for food and drinks. They pour drinks and you carry them back to your table. Pizzas and other food are delivered to a counter where you pick them up. I would guess that they’re operating 4-5 employees shy of what I recall.
Also first day of the return of the indoor mask mandate in NC. Retail and hospitality outlets we visited yesterday all appeared ready. Lots of signage that must have been tucked away last year until needed again.
Also first day of the return of the indoor mask mandate in NC. Retail and hospitality outlets we visited yesterday all appeared ready. Lots of signage that must have been tucked away last year until needed again.
#283
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,238
We dined at Vinnies in AVL last night. Tables were filled immediately upon opening. There was no apparent server or kitchen staff shortage and service was outstanding at my table. My server did mention having only worked there for the last week. Hmmm.
#284
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
We've eaten out 4 times in the last 9 days, and each time was very normal, as you've described. I'm wondering if people are starting to figure out the free ride is ending soon (and has in some states already). The smart ones will get a job before the benefits end and they're competing against everyone else. Also probably helps employers now that people have to pay their rent too. Our new state indoor mask mandate went into effect today, so we'll probably be cutting back on restaurants again soon as the weather cools down. It doesn't appear, at least for now, that restaurants will have capacity limits this time, so hopefully it's a better situation than last year.
#285
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,545
We've eaten out 4 times in the last 9 days, and each time was very normal, as you've described. I'm wondering if people are starting to figure out the free ride is ending soon (and has in some states already). The smart ones will get a job before the benefits end and they're competing against everyone else. Also probably helps employers now that people have to pay their rent too. Our new state indoor mask mandate went into effect today, so we'll probably be cutting back on restaurants again soon as the weather cools down. It doesn't appear, at least for now, that restaurants will have capacity limits this time, so hopefully it's a better situation than last year.