Inside Copper State Brewing Co. Thursday, May 30th, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Restaurants and bars statewide appear to continue to improve post-pandemic, according to a recent study by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
It also recognizes that difficulties still linger within the industry.
Included in the research is data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics that shows there were more than 203,000 workers employed at bars and/or restaurants in Wisconsin in February.
That’s up roughly 900 jobs from Feb. 2020.
Copper State Brewing Co. in Green Bay says they feel comfortable in terms of their staffing levels — even if that means a younger workforce with more teenagers.
“There’s a lot of stuff you are definitely competing with, but we’ve just found that we have a younger staff that’s more willing to jump in and train and learn how to do this kind of work and we’ve been making it work so far,” said Missy Martens with Copper State Brewing Co.
Despite that data, other restaurants like Kroll’s on the city’s west side say staffing is currently their largest issue.
“We do not have a crew yet for Packers season. Like, for right now we’re fine, but I do not have a crew number that I’d like to see for Packers season,” said Julia Bernard, a manager at Kroll’s West.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many in the industry to cut their hours of operation. The study says some continue to operate on fewer days or shorter hours.
Kroll’s West isn’t doing that currently, but says that could change in the future depending on their worker levels.
“I do have a few interviews so I don’t think it’ll happen, but there is always that chance. You just never know,” said Bernard.
Wisconsinites have been no strangers to rising menu prices, but those hikes have been easing, according to the study.
Data from the National Restaurant Federation showed year-over-year menu price increases were as high as 9% in June 2022. That has now slowed to a little more than 3% in March of this year.
“The increases have fallen quite a bit and that in the Midwest, the menu prices have increased slower than in the rest of the country as well, so there’s some positive signs there for consumers,” said Joe Peterangelo, a senior researcher with the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Concerns in the industry remain, but the overall outlook for the future of bars and restaurants appears encouraging.
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