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Chili’s parent Brinker continues to see tight-labor hotspots, especially in MidwestChili’s parent Brinker continues to see tight-labor hotspots, especially in Midwest

Casual-dining executives cite some recruitment difficulties but express optimism for holiday staffing

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 3, 2021

3 Min Read
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Chili’s Grill & Bar parent Brinker International Inc. continues to see labor-shortage hotspots, especially in the Midwest, but the company is confident the holiday season will be fully staffed, executives said Wednesday.

Executives for the Dallas-based company, which also owns the Maggiano’s Little Italy casual-dining brand and the It’s Just Wings and Maggiano’s Italian Classics virtual brands, said units that remained below full-staff levels impacted sales in the third quarter, which ended Sept. 29.

“There are markets that are still not fully staffed, which is limiting their capacity,” said Wyman Roberts, Brinker CEO and president, on a third-quarter earnings call. “This is particularly true in the Midwest, where it's taking longer to rea...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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