OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For the first time in 70 years, the kitchen at Ardy and Ed’s Drive-In is closed.
“It was such a shock to us,” said Steve Davis.
He’s co-owner of the Oshkosh restaurant.
After a busy weekend, Davis tells FOX 11 he decided to temporarily close the restaurant because the number of cooks reached an all-time low.
“You know, we have never had to do it or there have been times we’ve been short but we always had other people you could either pull in or something.”
Davis says there’s usually 30 to 35 on staff with 10 to 14 people in the kitchen.
“We were down to about seven or eight and then to lose three, we really lost half our kitchen staff.”
When asked Davis why people aren’t applying to the restaurant, he said it’s based on a number of different factors.
“A lot fewer kids are working. You know, many of them have either their involvement in sports or school activities.”
The drive-in is seasonal which Davis says has always made hiring somewhat of a challenge.
“The job market, the unemployment rate is so low and there are so many jobs available.”
According to Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the most recent unemployment rate number is at a historic low at 2.9 percent.
If you look at Winnebago County, the unemployment rate is even lower at 2.7 percent.
When asked how Ardy and Ed’s can be more competitive in the market, Davis says he’s always on the lookout for that.
“That’s something that we’re working at trying to figure out because, I mean, we don’t really know the answer right now. We try to be competitive wage-wise.”
While the job applications are ready to be filled, Davis said at least six people stopped on Wednesday and applied.
“We would still welcome more.”
The restaurant is hoping to re-open today…but with a limited menu or just root beer and ice cream.
