V Pizza, a pizza restaurant chain based in Jacksonville, Florida, recently faced backlash after one of their franchisees in Georgia displayed a sign in their window, leaving customers feeling uneasy. The corporate office of the franchise has now spoken out, criticizing their Georgia colleague for the sign’s content. The sign complained about the difficulty of finding employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing it to government assistance programs aimed at supporting struggling individuals due to the economic downturn.
The controversial sign read: “Sadly, due to government handouts, no one wants to work anymore. Therefore, we are short-staffed. Please be patient with the staff that did choose to come to work today, and remember to tip your server. They chose to show up to serve you.”
Once social media users caught wind of the sign’s negative tone at the Georgia location, it quickly gained attention. A Twitter user took a snapshot of the sign and shared it, expressing disappointment in V Pizza: “Bummer to see this coming from @VPizzaJax.”
Social media users were quick to point out the irony in the situation, as several V Pizza locations had received millions of dollars in government assistance loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to retain employees. The franchise was able to rehire staff members they had previously let go due to the pandemic, with the help of these government funds, which played a significant role in keeping their business afloat.
Paul Scott, the owner of the franchise, has since addressed the issue. He stated that upon learning about the sign through social media, he immediately requested the owner of the Georgia location to remove it from the business window. Scott expressed his belief that there were multiple problems with the sign and its wording. However, he acknowledged that the statement about the challenges of hiring during these times held some truth. He explained that due to the comparatively low wages in the industry (typically around $14-$15 per hour), some individuals find it financially viable to stay at home with their children instead of paying for daycare.
Scott emphasized that despite being understaffed, the existing workforce demonstrates a positive attitude every day. As an owner, he strives to support them in every possible way.
Throughout the pandemic, Florida, under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, provided an additional $300 per week in unemployment benefits. However, the state is now looking to phase out this benefit to encourage people to return to work. Governor DeSantis expressed his transition from crisis relief to a more conventional approach in terms of employment in a press conference held in May.
Currently, Florida has become the new epicenter of the pandemic in the United States.
