The Biden Boom Is Nigh

It's going to be nuts:

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Taco Bell wants to hire at least 5,000 employees in one day, it said on Tuesday, and is adding benefits for some general managers to sweeten the pot as restaurants struggle to hire enough workers to keep up with a surge in sales amid a broader U.S. economic recovery.

..."Total nightmare" is the way FAT Brands Inc CEO Andy Wiederhorn describes the staffing situation for franchisees of his company's restaurants, which include Johnny Rockets and Fatburger.

"The most recent stimulus check and unemployment benefits have been a catalyst for people to stay at home" instead of looking for work, he said. U.S. job openings in the accommodation and food service industry increased by 104,000 to reach 761,000 on the last day of February from the prior month, according to federal data on Tuesday.

Though fast-food companies and some other restaurant chains did well through the coronavirus pandemic as their customers turned to drive-thru, carry-out and delivery, they are seeing greater sales now that the weather is warmer, many limits on dining room capacities are lifted, and people with stimulus checks are eating out. 

A measure of U.S. services industry activity surged to a record high on Monday amid robust growth in new orders, the latest indication of a roaring economy boosted by increased vaccinations.