Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 11:42 AM EDT Jun 19, 2019
Reader question: Regarding your article last week entitled “When can you start?” Last week we traveled from the Fox Cities to Minneapolis. Twice, once in Hudson and once in Waupaca, we by chance chose fast food restaurants with doors locked to the indoor seating area and a sign posted something to the effect that because of the labor shortage the only service available was the drive through. It was not a good experience. Even with just a few cars in front of us the wait was exceptionally long. I am curious if this phenomena has arrived in the Fox Cities?
Answer: Yes it has.
With unemployment hovering around historic lows of 2.4 percent in the area, employers have a difficult time hiring and keeping employees, especially in lower wage, traditionally high-turnover jobs like food service.
According to anecdotal reports from a number of readers, drive-thrus and/or inside dining areas at several fast food brands in Appleton, Neenah and Menasha have been closed periodically.
More: Employee-strapped businesses: How soon can you start?
Taco Bell locations were mentioned several times by readers as having long waits in the drive-thrus at various times, and their inside dining rooms were occasionally closed while the drive-thrus were open.
A call to Pacific Bells, the Taco Bell franchise owner in this area, was not returned.
A check on the Taco Bell on Appleton’s east side, which was identified by readers as having sporadic issues, showed it was currently open and staffed. But it had reduced hours, now closing at 8 p.m. instead of the advertised 2 a.m.
Contact Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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