Alva Review-Courier -

With unemployment at a nine-year low of 4.7 percent and the fear of a crackdown on immigration, legal and otherwise, a shortage of fast-food workers has materialized.

In the past, a future of “flipping burgers” was considered a dead-end option of last resort, but that is changing. Michael Harms, executive director of a restaurant research firm, says, “Every employee, whether they’re 17 or 40, has options in fast food.” You might say we have a food-fight over workers!

How will fast-food corporate America, which employs thousands of part-time and full-time restaurant workers, keep staffing, both in line workers and administration? In the game of worker supply and demand, it often comes down to hourly wage. We’ve seen workers jump ship for a $.50 an hour raise and McDonald’s is offering up to $10.

While small business fears the worst from a proposed minimum wage increase, it may prove to be self-limiting. As they age, workers should look more closely at benefits rather than just bottom-line salary. With changes coming to health insurance and social programs that will affect the whole nation, employers have another problem in retention: uncertainty. Promises are just that and some employers are offering a bonus to employees that can find prospects and with millennials, flexible scheduling is paramount.

Eddie Rodriguez, who operates 177 Wendy’s restaurants in Florida, says, “We don’t want to take anyone for granted. Employees want to be appreciated.”

Consistency in product and presentation will always be paramount and the lunch crowd will not be denied!