NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Fewer customers, rising costs, and staffing shortages are forcing big changes for restaurants across New Mexico, including the notable Range Cafe locations. “People just aren’t going out as much, and we’re not seeing tourism like we used to. So, we started looking at all our different meal services,” said Matt DiGregory, Co-owner of the Range Cafe.
They are dealing with a list of challenges. “I think a lot of it is just the habits of the public, you know, they’re just not going out as much as they used to. and part of that is, you know, costs have risen across the board, especially since COVID,” said DiGregory.
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In the age of food delivery services, DiGregory said he doesn’t see younger people dining out. The New Mexico Restaurant Association said other problems include a lack of economic growth in the state and a lack of workers. “Staffing is one of the biggest issues that we’re facing. We’ve increased wages, you know, to try and be competitive with everybody else, and it still doesn’t seem to matter,” said DiGreggory.
Owners of the Range Cafe are adapting to the challenges. They are eliminating dinner service at their four locations in Albuquerque. The range said they are also removing breakfast hours during the weekdays at their Los Lunas location, streamlining their menu, and focusing on the quality of their food. “Someday we might go back to doing dinner we hope we hope, if things turn around in the world,” said DiGregory.
The New Mexico Restaurant Association said some solutions could be easier permitting processes and tax breaks for small businesses.
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