Bay Area restaurants facing small hiring pool after many laid-off workers left during pandemic

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Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Bay Area restaurants facing small hiring pool after pandemic
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Bay Area restaurants are seeking out new workers after many laid-off workers left the region.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Bay Area restaurants are facing a hiring hurdle.

As the pandemic took hold, many laid-off workers left the region.

RELATED: How will San Francisco's Union Square, downtown businesses recover from COVID-19 pandemic?

Now that restaurants are reopening, owners are facing major staffing shortages.

Some owners say they are raising wages and adding benefits in hopes of attracting new employees.

RELATED: Olive Garden raises hourly wages in bid to attract workers

A small labor pool means restaurants may take even longer to reopen.

Some businesses may be forced to shut down permanently.