Staffing shortage forces Concord Arby’s to close Sundays

CONCORD, N.C. — As things continue to reopen, in some cases, people might actually find restaurants closed more often.

At the beginning of April, Channel 9 said several upscale Charlotte restaurants were having trouble filling almost two dozen positions.

Now, a sign on a Concord Arby’s says they’re short staffed and will close on Sunday’s temporarily due to challenging hiring conditions, and to give their employees a break.

The manager at the Arby’s in the Afton Ridge shopping center wouldn’t comment, but confirmed that they are hiring. We have also learned that some employers are attempting to fill positions by offering large bonuses but people still aren’t applying.

“I don’t think that is surprising,” a customer said.

Arby’s isn’t alone in having a tough time hiring. About 20 minutes down the road in Kannapolis, the manager of a McDonald’s said they’re looking to hire 20 people and even willing to pay up to a $1,000 sign-on bonus.

“We are hearing everyday from warehousing distribution and construction that they just can’t find people and they are paying a minimum $12 an hour,” Colbert said.

Colbert is the president of Catapult, an organization that works with large employers in the Carolinas. He said some people who are unemployed don’t have an immediate appetite to get back into the workforce.

“Between the stimulus package, enhanced unemployment, people don’t want to come back to work right now, and then there is the fear factor in the workplace,” he said.

Customers said the pandemic is the main reason for people hesitating about getting back to work.

“I think it has to do with what’s going on in the world and right now and fear, and people need to do their own research,” a customer said.

Channel 9 has reached out to Arby’s corporate office to find out just how long they will be closed on Sundays because of the employee shortage. We have not heard back at this time.

Local businesses that are hiring struggle to fill jobs

Cox Media Group