Key Takeaways:
A critical shortage of dishwashers is squeezing U.S. restaurant profit margins, as tens of thousands of open positions force operators to either raise wages or invest in costly automation. The struggle to fill one of the humblest but most essential roles in the 12 million-person restaurant and bar industry is a top concern for CEOs from Darden Restaurants to Union Square Hospitality Group.
"That’s a difficult position, and a critical position," Chris Tomasso, chief executive of the 630-location First Watch Restaurant Group, said, noting that having enough dishwashing staff is one of his primary worries.
The average dishwasher's pay is approximately $32,500 a year, ranking in the bottom third of restaurant jobs, according to data from Indeed. The physically demanding job also suffers from high turnover, a persistent issue for the broader industry where workers quit at the highest rates tracked by the federal government. Replacing a single hourly worker costs an estimated $2,700, up from $2,300 in 2024, according to market-research firm Black Box Intelligence.
The persistent labor gap highlights a systemic risk for the service industry, forcing a choice between raising prices for consumers or making significant capital expenditures. For some, the solution is technological; the Kura Sushi chain is importing robotic dishwashers from Japan for $15,000 each to ease the strain on its human workforce.
The challenge to find dishwashers stems from several factors. Industry officials point to tougher immigration enforcement, which has impacted a workforce where foreign-born workers hold about 20 percent of jobs. There is also a growing reluctance among young people to take on such demanding entry-level roles, according to Michelle Korsmo, president of the National Restaurant Association.
Last year, 54 percent of sit-down restaurants surveyed by the association reported having fewer-than-average applicants for kitchen-support positions. In response, restaurant trade groups are lobbying Congress to create a visa program for lower-skilled immigrant workers to help fill the void.
With a shallow labor pool, some restaurants are trying to make the role more attractive. First Watch, where dishwashers average $17.21 an hour, provides growth plans for hourly employees to help them move up. At John’s Food and Wine in Chicago, dishwashers are included in a 20 percent service fee charged across all orders, allowing them to earn an average of $70,000 last year.
"They are highly valued and their value comes with being paid well," said Tom Rogers, the restaurant's co-owner. This strategy appears to be working, as the restaurant has retained two of its three dishwashers since opening two years ago. Still, for many others, the daily grind of cleaning hundreds of dishes for modest pay remains a tough sell.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
