Suche
Mein Konto
Gastronomy in the Werra-Meißner district: employees are missing, funding is stalling!
The Werra-Meißner district will be struggling with a shortage of employees in the catering industry in 2025. A new funding program is intended to provide support.
Gastronomy in the Werra-Meißner district: employees are missing, funding is stalling!
What's going on in the Werra-Meißner district? The catering industry is currently struggling with many challenges. According to a report by HNA The acute shortage of employees and rising costs as well as the decline in the tourism sector are the main problems that have brought the willingness to invest close to zero. The number of catering establishments fell from a high of 248 in 2019 to just 219 in 2023.
However, the Hessian state government has created a light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the new “Special Restaurant Program 2025”, which has been available since June 10th. The funding includes, among other things, modernizations, equipment, renovations and investments in digital solutions such as cash register systems. Nevertheless, as Christian Pelikan from the Dehoga district association notes, the application situation falls short of expectations. Many restaurateurs are uncertain and hesitant to make investments - a circumstance that is exacerbated by the high energy cost situation and the debates about the minimum wage.
Shortage of employees: A widespread problem
The shortage of employees has developed into a real crisis situation. Life in Germany reports that by 2030 there could be a shortage of up to 600,000 employees in the hospitality industry due to age. In the catering industry, over 40% of positions currently have no employees filled. This shortage is not just limited to the region; The entire industry is confronted with dramatic developments. A current study shows that since the beginning of the corona pandemic, more than one in four employees have changed jobs and only a few have been recruited as new starters.
The total numbers speak for themselves: In 2020, 215,889 people left the industry, while only 116,770 joined it - a disproportion that is certainly alarming. Another problem is the high fluctuation, which occurs because many newcomers leave after a short period of time, often after just 1.5 to 3 years. This uncertainty is leading to more and more businesses having to close their doors.
The way forward: solutions and strategies
The industry urgently needs to reorient itself. Not only are new working models needed, but also a rethinking of recruiting. ETL ADHOGA showed in a recent GASTRO briefing that modern approaches such as flexible working time models, health promotion and further training opportunities can help here. Increasing employee satisfaction and actively involving them in decision-making processes could also be the key to success.
In addition, new technologies and automation could help reduce workloads while increasing efficiency and value creation. Examples such as robots clearing dishes or AI for shift scheduling are just some of the ideas to explore.
Overall, it is clear that the catering industry in the Werra-Meißner district and beyond is facing some serious challenges. The solutions are promising, yes, but quick and finally consistent decisions are needed from political actors in order to sustainably secure the future of gastronomy in Hesse.