LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A recent survey conducted by the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association shows roughly 70 percent of bars and restaurants in the state are facing staffing shortages, with the average shortage equating to 36 percent of the business’ workforce.
MLBA Executive Director Scott Ellis says while many who previously worked in the hospitality industry have left for higher priced jobs in other industries, “Another contributing factor to our industry’s staffing shortage is the number of workers who want to work from home, especially women, who are the primary demographic for our industry.”
Along with a staffing shortage, 92 percent of businesses surveyed said they have been significantly impacted by supply chain issues over the past two years.
“We’re impacted by so many different shortages– staffing, food, liquor, delivery drivers, packaging, produce and so much more,” Ellis said. “Those shortages, paired with increases to the costs of goods has created a distressing scenario for our industry.”
The MLBA says that the shortages have required hospitality businesses to raise their prices by an average of 14 percent in the past year. In that same time, revenues for the industry are down by an average of 34 percent.
“Raising prices and reducing hours of operations by an average of 20 percent when revenues are down is the only way many places are currently surviving,” Ellis said. “As grant programs and other forms of relief continue to wane, business owners and staff alike face an uncertain 2022.”
