KFC will hire more than 20,000 employees to handle the influx of customers

The restaurant industry is facing severe staffing shortages amid a mass return of diners after quarantine.

Fast-food restaurant chain KFC, owned by Yum Brands, has announced plans to hire about 20,000 employees shortly, including full- and part-time positions. The company is reporting first-quarter solid financial results and sales growth of 14% and is reporting open hiring for a wide variety of functions.

Patrons began returning to pandemic-empty restaurants in various regions, and now the company is facing a labor shortage. To provide a complete service to the gradually recovering flow of customers during the traditionally busy summer period, the restaurant chain is looking for employees for various positions, including cooks, managers, and support staff.

Labor shortages are reported by restaurants and supply chain companies alike. This situation could lead to disruptions in the supply of restaurants’ needed supplies, primarily chicken. 

Most restaurant chains have declared the shortage of workers to attract professionals, many of whom even offer various bonuses and incentives, for example, if the employee stays in his position for more than 90 days. One of the reasons for the shortage of worker representatives in the restaurant business is that unemployment benefits often exceed restaurant wages. However, unemployed restaurant employees believe that their wages and tips are not enough to offset the risk of COVID-19 infection.

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