What’s brewing in Texas? Labor down, tourism up

Employers discuss what will be brewed for vineyards and bars this summer

From Megan Wehring

DRIPPING SPRINGS – When Fitzhugh Brewing owner Kerbey Smith posted a job ad when the brewery opened last year, she received only four responses for interviews.

Smith is one of several employers who have grappled with pandemic-related challenges, including hiring new employees and complying with health regulations when running a business.

Over 91% of the restaurant According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, operators have vacancies that are hard to fill and most don’t expect work challenges to ease after the pandemic ends. The same survey also found that 93% of operators say that recruiting and retaining employees could be even more difficult after the pandemic has ended than it was before the pandemic started.

“Almost every operator we work with has risen to this challenge,” said Kelsey Erickson Streufert of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA). “Restaurants really need to grow and generate revenue that was essentially lost in the past year due to the pandemic. They actually need to reduce working hours because they have difficulty finding enough people to do the job. “

Streufert said the restaurant and hospitality industry cut about 15% of its workforce during the pandemic, when closings and capacity limits were required. Many workers moved to other industries, which made it more of a challenge to recruit them again.

The TRA has seen labor shortages increasing wages and benefits for workers. Entry-level positions like dishwashers and line chefs are gradually being paid at $ 14-16 an hour.

Fitzhugh Brewing in Dripping Springs is promised higher wages, Smith explained, which equates to nearly $ 15 an hour with tips.

“Most people tip a little better, which is nice to see,” said Smith. “I think people are realizing that we are doing our part too. You wouldn’t have a fun place to get out of the house if we weren’t here. I think people are grateful for that. “

Several employers are raising wages for entry-level positions. Photo courtesy Vista Brewing.

Smith anticipates more people will be looking for jobs, especially as Texas will stop participating in pandemic unemployment benefits from June 26th. This includes the US $ 300 weekly unemployment benefit.

While she currently has a full team, Smith hopes to have a larger pool of applicants soon in case there are any open positions after high school.

Susan Auler, founder of Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood, said she could keep her full-time staff during the pandemic and has only recently started looking for the right people to join the team.

“We certainly need more employees,” said Auler. “I would like to hear from anyone who knows wine and understands good hospitality.”

Auler added that given the special events and the August harvest, Fall Creek Vineyards needs additional staff who understand the product they are promoting.

Streufert concluded that there is no one simple solution to the problem of labor shortages, but that there are several issues that need to be addressed.

“How can we meet the need for labor, hire and retain the people we need, while meeting consumer demand and offering our products at a price that will attract consumers and enable a restaurant to be profitable?”– – Kelsey Erickson Streufert of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA)

Breweries and wineries are also preparing for the coming summer as they expect even more income from tourism.

“Texas is getting so hot and people don’t want to be out,” said Karen Killough of Vista Brewing in Driftwood. “They go on holiday. It will be interesting to see how this summer turns out. People travel more and we will see these tourists again and see those strong summer sales. “

John McIntosh, owner of Acobon Brewing in Dripping Springs, agreed that sales will increase as more people are ready to go public.

“Business has picked up,” said McIntosh, “as more and more people are vaccinated and feel safe and comfortable when they go out.” There is always caution, but we are pretty optimistic that we are on the right track to getting back to normal and hopefully last year will just be a bad memory. “

Governor Greg Abbott’s recent decision to permanently allow takeaway alcohol sales in Texas also helped, McIntosh added.

“When the shutdown first started and capacity was limited for HEB or similar location, we had online sales and people would come over and pick up their take-away beers,” McIntosh explained. “It’s held back somehow. People still come in and maybe have a beer or two, but now they’re much more likely to have a few beers to go because they got used to it. “

Both Auler and Smith expect constant pedestrian traffic in their facilities throughout the summer.

“I think the best you can do [right now]get together with family and friends and just enjoy the time you have together, ”said Smith Hays Free Press / News-Dispatch.