Restaurant industry trying to bounce back, but struggling to find workers Restaurants looking to hire but cannot find workers Restaurants are trying to bounce back after the pandemic, but they say they’re running into a labor shortage. WASHINGTON - There’s no doubt the hospitality and restaurant industries were hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic but now they’re ready to get back to business but some say the workforce is MIA. Some employers say it’s forcing them to make hard decisions impacting the bottom line. Help wanted and now hiring signs are plastered on several business here in Downtown Fredericksburg.