Foodservice and drinking establishments lost 372,000 jobs in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment report, reports Restaurant Dive. This is a huge increase from the 17,000 jobs lost in November.
The restaurant industry ended the year with 2.5 million jobs less than pre-pandemic levels, according to the Natural Restaurant Association. The industry was expected to provide 12.3 million jobs during 2020, but ended the year at only 9.8 million jobs.
Leisure and hospitality unemployment is 157 percent higher than the national average, according to a press release from the Independent Restaurant Coalition, emailed to Restaurant Dive. Full Story
Related: D.C. Restaurant Workers Get Vaccine Target Date; Foodservice in Freefall.