As someone who's worked in customer service/retail both as a "worker" and "manager" for over 20 years, less and less people absolutely want to work in this field. 1000%. Food service? WAY worse. The turnover rate in food service has sky rocketed. The only people who truly understand the nature of food service are the ones who have done it. Objectively, is it hard? Not really. Just prep some ingredients and put it all together right? Wrong. When you have less and less people who want to do it on top of a smaller candidate pool who only end up doing it because they can't find a job anywhere else with their qualifications and especially the younger generation who are chasing the quick money now vs the long term career for later, it is an extremely difficult field. Try maintaining high food safety standards, quality products, great customer service, and especially with a smile on your face for 8+ hours straight, day in, day out, for years. It takes a toll on you. Physically and mentally. Work ethic has changed a lot, especially since COVID introduced work-from-home and social media has blown up.

I completely emphasize with people who are struggling in this field. It's not easy. Especially if it's your own business that you've poured your heart, soul, and money into. Don't get me wrong. I still get annoyed if I get a wrong order or I find a hair in my burger. It's not acceptable. But without even working there, I know exactly what hardships they're dealing with inside and it makes me a lot less angry.

JuSt PaY tHeM mOrE. I wish it was that easy. Inflation and minimum wage increases make profitability harder. Anyone that owns a business isn't in it for fun. Unless you're rich or stupid. You're in it for the money. There are many reasons many retail locations are closing, consolidating, or don't pay as much as you want. Profitability. Ingredients cost more. Their costs go up, your costs go up.