U.S. Quick Service Restaurants Drive Employment Gain

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Rachael Wright had culinary training, a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a dream of putting her education to work. After a couple of years waiting tables and trying to launch her career, Wright finally went where the jobs are: quick-service food.

In September, she started at Protein Bar, a Chicago-based eatery specializing in low-sugar, high-fiber menus. The company says it seeks to marry fresh ingredients with convenience: Food is served in easy-to-carry bowls so customers can nosh while they walk. After multiple interviews, Wright landed an assistant manager job at the company’s new store in Washington.

........(snip)........

Fast-food chains including Wendy’s Co. (WEN), snack-and-beverage shops such as Starbucks Corp. (SBUX), and a newer crop of eateries like Protein Bar and Nando’s Peri-Peri, which offer made-to-order meals, are leading the growth.

Outlets Flourishing

Such outlets are flourishing even as total restaurant traffic remains stuck below pre-recession levels. Americans stepped out to eat 61 billion times in the 12 months ending July 31, down from 62 billion visits four years ago, according to market researcher NPD Group in Port Washington, New York. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-03/employment-rise-on-restaurants-in-u-s-doing-quick-service-jobs.html

[rbixby]

1. Food trucks too

That seems to be the new summertime trend around here. I definitely have no complaints. I know that restaurant owners in downtown Minneapolis are a little upset by all the new competition, but I think that's just the nature of the beast.

[kestrel91316]

2. Awesome! Part time minimum wage jobs with ZERO benefits. Just what we need to pull our

economy up by its bootstraps.

[Nye Bevan]

3. "She’ll earn about $40,000 a year plus health benefits and paid holidays".

Perhaps you should read the article that the OP linked to?

[KamaAina]

4. It's a McRecovery!

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Someone is buying those hamburgers.

Jobs are jobs. IMHO.

[KamaAina]

7. People living on the edge often live off the dollar menu.

The people flipping the dollar burgers are themselves living on the edge.

It's a feedback loop: a "vicious circle".

[closeupready]

10. They aren't manufacturing jobs, though.

They are service jobs.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Agreed. n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. My 23 year old daughter in law just was promoted to Starbucks manager.

She is the highest earner in her extended family. Just sayin.

[KamaAina]

8. Her extended family must be up against it, then

And for every manager, there are a dozen or so baristas who are just barely getting over.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. Her extended family is subject to the economy as most of us are. n/t