This week on the Extra Serving podcast, a production of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Last Bite Network, NRN editors Holly Petre, Sam Oches and Bret Thorn discussed the topic on everyone’s mind ­ — The Great Resignation.

The team at NRN once again discussed the topic that seemingly won’t go away: how the labor crisis is impacting the industry. The news this week was that chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks and Chipotle Mexican Grill would be cutting hours due to staffing shortages. But the shortages weren’t due to just the Great Resignation; they were also due to the omicron variant of COVID-19. 

The team then discussed the introduction of automation into the industry and how staffing shortages impact the use of AI in restaurants.

Lastly, the team wraps up with a reminder to check out the 2022 Power List available at nrn.com/power-list where topics like automation are covered in greater detail with people like Stratis Morfogen of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop and Steph So of Shake Shack.

This week’s guest is Susan Beard, culinary operations manager for Slim Chickens, who discusses how the supply chain has impacted her kitchen.