As customers start coming back to Metro Atlanta restaurants, will the workers?

ATLANTA — One of the big questions for businesses as pandemic restrictions begin being lifted is, “Will the people come back?”

For restaurants, it’s a two-fold question with the second half being, “Who is going to take care of them?”

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Channel 2 Action News reporter Christian Jennings spoke to Diarra Williams, who’s just started to venture out again for meals.

“I started dining in maybe a month or so ago,” Williams said.

But Williams did say that the problem he’s running into is not enough workers to meet the demand.

“The lines are insane wait times are insane so it’s just easier to take out most times,” Williams said.

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Wlmadimir Chacon, the General Manager at the Flying Biscuit Café in midtown told Jennings he’s down at least five positions.

“That’s my main thing, to get fully staffed before I can start filling up tables and more people,” Chacon said.

Chacon added that some of his employees have had to pick up double shifts or come in on their off days to help make up for the staffing shortage. He believes their is a reason he’s having some much trouble finding the help he needs.

“One is most people decided to work other places and I think some people are taking advantage of getting paid and staying home. Or we set up interviews but nobody shows up for interviews,” Chacon said. “Even McDonalds and other places have big signs on the doors saying we’re hiring. And they’re all going through the same issues you know lines are longer than they ever were wherever you go because they’re short staffed.”

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Most restaurant owners are hopeful that in the next few months with more and more people getting the COVID-19 vaccine that business will get back to normal.

“Time for people to feel comfortable going back to work. Time for people to feel safe going back to work,” Williams said.