In the hospitality world, humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary success. This is the story of Marco Nguyen, who arrived in California as a student, started as a dishwasher, and now owns one of San Diego’s most popular Vietnamese fusion restaurants.

The restaurant industry is facing an unprecedented talent shortage. From chefs to front-of-house staff, and even management roles, good people are harder than ever to find. Based on Ztalent’s front-line recruitment data, this article breaks down the root causes of hiring challenges and offers actionable strategies to help businesses gain an edge in the race for talent.