Gym Membership, Babysitting and Parenting: How a Covington Restaurant Is Surviving a Nationwide Staff Shortage

Covington, Q. – Labor shortages worsened during the pandemic are affecting every corner of Greater Cincinnati. This hit the restaurant industry especially hard as the shutdown lifted and more customers started coming to eat.

According to National Restaurant Association Mid-Year UpdateThree out of four operators say that despite employment gains, recruitment and retention are their toughest challenges.

It’s a trend that continues after federal pandemic unemployment benefits for those workers are terminated, a move aimed at getting more people back to work.

However, there is one location that has avoided staff shortages together: Agave and Rye in Covington.

“It’s all about the brand and culture of the people, right? People want to enjoy where they work,” said Chris Britt.

Britt is the Director of Operations there.

Across the river, Tony Castelli, marketing director for Earth & Ocean Restaurant Group, gave us a glimpse of the labor struggle before the customers arrived.

“We hardly have enough staff,” Castelli said. “Our team works hard every day. I mean, they’re just unloading boxes here from 9 a.m. That’s not necessarily part of their job description.”

He says companies really need to avoid making money if there aren’t enough people to serve.

“If 1,000 people come into this building tonight, and we only have two servers and a bartender, the chances of those 1,000 people coming back are close to zero,” Castelli said.

Related | Labor Day marks the end of federal pandemic unemployment benefits

So how have agave and rye avoided this trend?

“We currently offer great benefits,” Britt said.

In an industry where many people are paid minimum wage and have to bank on tips, agave and rye are offering health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, gym memberships and employee assistance programs that include child care and Including caring for aged parents.

“They need to know that they are safe, that their families are safe, that they have a future,” Britt said.

It’s setting the standard around town.

E+O also plans to adjust profit structures and offer bonuses.

“The industry is changing, and I think it’s for the better,” Castelli said.

WCPO 9News asked agave and rye whether this was affecting long-term profits.

“Not so,” said Britt. “Because we don’t have that much business, right? It costs a lot of money to bring in new ones and training to lose employees or team members.”