How Restaurant Operators Can Overcome the Industry’s Biggest Challenge: Labor Shortages

In today’s food service landscape, many operators struggle with understaffing, making it difficult to manage daily responsibilities both in and outside the kitchen. This strain impacts everything from maintaining consistent menu offerings and serving high-quality flavor to managing overall restaurant operations.

In 2025 alone, one in seven restaurant employers faced labor shortages, finding it difficult to fulfill open positions with qualified candidates — a trend that shows no sign of reversing. To ensure restaurant quality stays consistent with leaner teams, operators are adapting by increasingly relying on manufacturers to enhance efficiency and fulfill the promise of fresh, consistent flavor. This includes investing in strategic innovations, building reliable partnerships, and rethinking traditional approaches.

Embrace Technology and Innovation

In 2025, adopting new technologies to streamline operations and reducing the burden on staff has been top of mind for nearly 90 percent of restaurant operators nationwide. These tools include automated systems, online ordering, and AI-driven solutions that boost efficiency for low-touch, back-of-house tasks.

When paired with thoughtfully selected prepared foods, technology becomes even more useful. For example, using automated systems can manage prep schedules in tandem with high-quality, ready-to-serve sides free up time and reduce stress in the kitchen. These efficiencies allow operators to reallocate labor where it’s needed most, without sacrificing flavor or quality.

Rethink What ‘Made from Scratch’ Can Mean 

The phrase “made from scratch” has long been synonymous with quality and today’s foodservice manufacturers are redefining what scratch-quality can look like. At Reser’s, we’ve developed a wide range of refrigerated salads, sides and entrées that deliver the taste and texture of homemade dishes without the labor-intensive prep.

Consider a fast-casual Southern-style restaurant known for its comfort food staples, traditionally, prepping sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw and potato salad would require hours of labor—boiling, chopping, mixing and seasoning—all while trying to ensure consistency. By integrating a prepared mac and cheese into their menu, the restaurant can save time without compromising taste or texture.

Food service doesn’t hold restaurants back from experimenting with flavor. Simply introducing unique inclusions to an already delicious mac and cheese or potato salad, restaurants tailor offerings to local flavor preferences and evolving food trends.

Capitalize on the Rise of Off-Premises Dining

A 2025 trend report revealed that nearly 75 percent of all restaurant traffic now happens off premises, meaning almost three out of four orders are takeout, delivery or drive-through. As consumer behavior continues to shift toward convenience, operators must meet demand without overextending staff.

Products designed for portability, consistency, and minimal prep are key to thriving in off-premise formats. Whether it’s a grab-and-go side, a heat-and-serve entrée or a ready-to-eat salad, these solutions allow operators to deliver high-quality meals to customers’ dining in or take out. Food service helps reduce back-of-house complexity while ensuring flavor and freshness stay intact during transportation. 

The right private label partner enables high-impact areas like customer service, order accuracy and speed of fulfillment to flourish even with limited staff, which is key for high-demand orders like take out.

By leaning into off-premises dining, operators can expand their reach, boost efficiency and maintain brand integrity. Food service ensures customers enjoy the same restaurant quality taste from the comfort of their own home.  

While labor challenges may persist, operators can future proof their business by investing in systems, strategies and partnerships that maximize the talent they have. With thoughtful adjustments and the right support, it’s possible to preserve quality, uphold brand promise, and thrive—even with a leaner team.