Tucson restaurant struggles to hire staff as business picks up

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) – Wings Over Broadway has been in Tucson for 14 years and has many loyal customers.

“We’re going out and eating more. This is one of our favorite places,” said customer Jacob Jackson.

Jackson isn’t the only one choosing to eat more these days, but sadly, his favorite spot is struggling to keep up.

“There are a lot of different things we could do if we had more employees,” said JJ Esquibel, owner of Wings Over Broadway.

Wings Over Broadway recently reduced its opening hours and decided to close completely on Mondays. There are still social distancing signs on the tables. Esquibel said this is partly because they don’t have enough staff to service a full house.

“I don’t want to stress or overload the people I have. That was the biggest struggle,” said Esquibel.

Esquibel said he worked hard to hire new staff but interest had been low.

“I think people are comfortable with the unemployment benefits they get. To get the same amount of money as unemployment, an employee would have to make $ 15 an hour and basically work full-time,” Esquibel said.

Arizonans will no longer be eligible for federal unemployment benefits on July 10, 2021. Esquibel hopes that things will then change. Until then, he has a request for his customers.

“Be patient not only with ourselves, but also with other restaurants and other businesses. Perhaps you will take more time to eat out. You just have to know that the people who work here are doing their best, ”Esquibel said.

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