With hospitality jobs hard to fill, some restaurants add tuition assistance incentive

North Carolina's hospitality industry has added 39,700 jobs in the past year, more than any other economic sector, according to a report released Friday. But there still are some 40,000 vacancies, and many restaurants have had to cut back hours or limit service as they struggle to fill positions.

"Staffing has been a struggle for everybody, but more and more, I think we’re seeing more people that want to come out and work," said Samantha Branch, manager of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Durham.

Branch's restaurant is looking to hire 15 to 30 people right now, and Texas Roadhouse has increased its incentives to help attract workers. Employees who've been with the restaurant for a year and work 30 hours a week are now eligible for college tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 a year.

"We do have a lot of colleges around us, so it’s just helping bring in staff when you have that extra incentive for them to come here and work," she said. "Why not take advantage of it?"

In addition to offering tuition assistance, Minges said, some businesses are raising wages and offering paid sick leave, 401(k) retirement plans and child care to help fill their open positions.

"It can take a lot of weight off our shoulders, especially with trying to work to put ourselves through school," McGregor said.

Branch said no strings are attached to the tuition reimbursement, meaning employees don't have to stay with the company beyond a year or pay back the money.

But McGregor said she plans on sticking around as she continues her education in graduate school.

"This is why we come to work. This is why we need jobs, because we’re trying to support ourselves to get benefits like that," she said.