Bringing back restaurants

The good news?

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" are reopening.

The complication, though, there aren't enough workers lining up to fill the many open jobs.

Kimt news 3's alex jirgens talked to the iowa restaurant association today and joins us live in mason city?

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"* the blue heron has been able to weather the pandemic.

And they're one of many restaurants looking for workers ?

"* an issue playing ot across iowa.

The leisure and hospitality industry took a major hit over the last year.

Restaurants tallied a net loss of 27 thousand jobs last year.

Iowa restaurant association president jessica dunker says the industry finds itself needing not only customers "every year, patio season expands our seating.

Every year, mother's day is our largest restaurant holiday, and there's a lot of pent up demand right now from people who got vaccinated and are ready to get back out."

Dunker says the teen workforce has not been readily available of late.

The association is working to shake the myth of the restaurant biz being a low wage profession.

Dunker says the industry puts people in the middle class faster than many industries.

Live in mason thank you alex.

Dunker believes stepped up carry out and delivery are here to stay along with contactless payment ?

"* and mobile and online ordering.///