I keep seeing news articles blaming lazy people for restaurant workers shortages nation wide but I think the issue really stems from the restaurant industry not paying enough to make it worth working in. No one wants to get chastised and yelled at by customers for minimum wage, and the restaurant industry has seen some of the least wage growth compared to other industries, there's even places like target where you can get somewhat friendlier customers and make $15 an hour doing it. Every job in the industry I worked at the common complaint among kitchen staff was it's not worth it and they can't get a raise, so I quickly got out and have been followed by pretty much everyone I've worked with and every friend I've had in the industry, except one.

Edit: totally forgot to mention the unemployment but I really feel the shortage won't go away even after the compensation does. Restaurants have been struggling to find hires for years now i think it's just going to keep getting worse.