Kentucky restaurants similar to other large and small businesses across the Commonwealth are in need of workers. In some cases, higher pay is being offered to try to entice applicants.
Kentucky Restaurant Association President Stacy Roof says the hourly pay offered can vary significantly. “We have a lot of rural locations, a lot of smaller towns and cities that may not have as many restaurants. They don’t have as much competition necessarily for the same people. But, then you go to larger areas and everybody’s trying to hire that same person right. So, the wage may be higher,” said Roof.
In Richmond, McDonald’s has signage posted advertising 12 dollars an hour pay. A manager told WEKU that starting pay was 8.25 last year. At this location, the minimum starting pay is now 10 dollars an hour with an opportunity to move up to 12 dollars an hour in 90 days.
Roof asks patrons to be understanding of the dynamics right now. “It’s not necessarily the person who’s taking your order or the server who’s delivering your order or the kitchen’s fault, if they’re short staffed. You know, so just give them a little grace,” explained Roof.
Although coronavirus vaccinations are continuing and a full lifting of capacity limits is scheduled for June eleventh, Roof noted it’s hard to know the impact on wages. The restaurant association CEO said it will still be a while until people, quote, “settle into whatever normal is.”
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