ATL Standard

Many Georgia restaurants that survived the COVID-19 pandemic are struggling to fill vacant jobs, with a trade association estimating 50,000 to 70,000 restaurant jobs are unfilled in the Peach State.

Federal unemployment benefits that the state ended June 26, could have been a contributing factor leading to the inability to fill positions, but it depends on each business, Karen Bremer, chief executive officer of the Georgia Restaurant Association, told the ATL Standard.

"Federal unemployment benefits may have been a contributing factor for some restaurants," she said. "However, it is very individualized for each business as to what is affecting their job filling capabilities." 

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

Since the ending of the federal help, restaurants continue to have difficulties hiring, Bremer said.

"We do not have specific numbers to confirm that, but what we are hearing from restaurants across the state who are still trying to fill positions is either that response has been low or that applicants have not accepted the job offered," Bremer said.

The entire industry continues to experience a nationwide labor shortage. Bremer told the ATL Standard that in Georgia the association estimates that there are between 50,000 and 70,000 jobs available.

Restaurants are believed to have benefited from fewer COVID-19 restrictions in Georgia compared to some other states, from an economic standpoint, she said.

"Following the official lifting of the shelter in place order, the state of Georgia allowed restaurants to have the ability to choose whether or not to remain closed or offer takeout/curbside pickup/delivery." Bremer said. "Many restaurants survived solely because they had a drive-through window or were able to shift rapidly to offer more technological capabilities." 

The closures forced restaurants to pivot to meet the demand. Some even shifted their entire business models.  

"Local elected officials in the state helped the small business community through special grants from CARES Act funding to assist with obtaining PPE, covering businesses expenses and updating local ordinances to expand outdoor dining capabilities to allow for sidewalk/parking lot dining," she said.

“After 66 weeks of benefits during the pandemic and the release of $22.5 billion, we look forward to refocusing our organization on re-employment and helping claimants find a career path that will provide the stability and support necessary to provide for their families,” Georgia Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler told Capitol Beat as federal benefits came to an end.