Help wanted: Labor crisis plagues US restaurant industry

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, serves wine to attorney Alec Nedelman, celebrating early "Father's Day "with his family at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, carries wine glasses at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, top left, hangs a fresh floral wreath decoration to welcome customers, while her staff readies for arriving customers at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, right, poses for a picture at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant's bar in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, smiles with a glass of wine at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, standing under umbrella, welcomes back regular customers, Chris Anokute with his wife Jasmine and their 9-month-old son, Phoenix, at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

In this Saturday, June 19, 2021, photo, Caroline Styne, owner and wine director at The Lucques Group, hangs a fresh floral wreath decoration to welcome customers, while her staff readies for arriving customers at the A.O.C. Brentwood restaurant in Los Angeles. Styne has turned away dozens of customers at the company's A.O.C. West Hollywood restaurant because she doesn't have the staff to serve them, leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)