Restaurants facing staffing shortages as capacity restrictions lift

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — A critical staffing shortage is forcing many metro Atlanta restaurants to reduce their normal business hours.

It’s happening at a time when our state is allowing these places to reopen without seating restrictions.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden is in College Park at La Fiesta Mexican restaurant, where co-owner Luis Ponce said he is very grateful to customers who helped the family-owned business stay afloat.

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But now, as things begin to return back to normal, Ponce and hundreds of restaurant owners are dealing with staffing shortages in jobs ranging from hosts to managers to kitchen positions.

Ponce said the shortage is forcing many restaurants to reduce their hours and shut down on days they would normally be open.

“You know, I still have staff that want to work but they haven’t got vaccinated yet,” Ponce said. " They have preexisting conditions. I talked to all my friends who are running businesses and they’re going through the exact same thing.”

Ponce said he is accepting resumes. Anyone interested can drop by to apply.

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