Ted’s Hot Dogs Forced To Temporarily Close Location Because of Staffing Shortage

If you've paid close attention to the news over the last few weeks, then you probably have heard about the staffing shortage that has plagued many businesses in Western New York, and across the country. Service industry jobs are having a harder time than ever, it seems, to find workers to fill certain shifts.

That problem has been so bad for Ted's Hot Dogs that they've had to actually close one of their stores because of it.

WKBW is reporting that Ted's Hot Dogs has temporarily closed its Union Road location in Cheektowaga because of staffing issues.

In fact, according to the owner of Ted's Thecly Ortolani, three of her stores were closed as of Monday.

“As of today, we have three stores closed, and as a business that’s not a good thing,” said Ortolani.

Ortolani says that she doesn't blame the workers who don't want to work, because of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, in which some workers are eligible to receive $500 per week plus an additional $300 per week.

The minimum wage is $12.50 and even at 40 hours a week, that adds up to $500 a week itself.

As for the Ted's Hot Dogs location in Cheektowaga? The hope is that the location will reopen by June, which is three weeks out, and will be a disappointment for those who like to go to that location.

We'll see just how long it goes, but you can add another tough factor for the restaurant industry because of the pandemic.