Key. Finding places to improve benefits can help ease the shortage The no-shows are just one symptom of a broader crisis in the restaurant industry: an acute shortage of employees. It’s currently ripping through every parcel of the sector, from quick-service chains to high-end establishments. One big piece of proof: There were 12.5 million total restaurant workers nationwide at the end of 2020, down at least -16.6% from the normal 15 million, according to The National Restaurant Association. While many other industries also struggle to fill staffing gaps, the shortage is notable in restaura...