Iowa restaurants put out ‘Hiring Now’ signs
BPC Staff Feb 23, 2016 | 8:20 pm
1 min read time
216 wordsAll Latest News, Economic Development, Retail and BusinessIowa’s restaurant industry continues to outperform predictions on both employment and revenue growth.
The National and Iowa Restaurant Associations had projected that Iowa’s foodservice industry would add 1,230 jobs in 2015. Instead, the state quadrupled that projection posting a net increase of 5,200 industry positions last year.
“Nearly every restaurant in the state is seeking to increase its staff,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. … “We simply cannot find the employees to fill the positions open in the state.”
Iowa restaurant revenues also exceeded expectations last year, coming in at $4 billion, as opposed to a $3.6 billion projection.
Dunker is expecting restaurant sales to rise 4.2 percent this year. “Our projected and real growth has hovered right around 3 percent for years. This is a great sign that as the state’s economy strengthens, consumer interest and willingness to spend in Iowa restaurants will strengthen as well,” she said.
Restaurant association research indicates that 57 percent of Iowans say if they had an extra $60 a month, they would spend it going out to restaurants more often.
“If gas prices stay low and our consumer behavior models are accurate, it could be a banner year for Iowa hospitality operators,” said Dunker.
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