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Report says 90% of Michigan restaurants operate with inadequate staffing to meet consumer demand

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — A new report says 9 in 10 restaurants and nearly every hotel is operating with inadequate staffing.  The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) released the report Wednesday.  The organization said the study shows the results of a recent statewide hospitality industry survey conducted to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry approximately 1.5 months after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

Key findings included:

  • More than 85% of full-service restaurants reported closing early or for specific segments during the day as a direct result of inadequate staffing levels
  • 81% of hotels are limiting room inventory because they do not have adequate staffing to turn them over for new guests

“Restaurant and hotel operators are trying to meet consumer demand that exceeds 2019 with 100,000 fewer workers and skyrocketing labor and commodity prices. Workers are exhausted and profit margins are thin for many despite the resurgent demand,” said MRLA President & CEO Justin Winslow.

“It is important to remember that most restaurants and hotels did not receive federal or state aid during the darkest days of the pandemic,” added Winslow.