Restaurant Job Growth Continues Nationwide Leading into Summer

Restaurants nationwide continued to boost employment with restaurants adding 24,800 jobs lin April, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Restaurants are expected to continue adding jobs in the months ahead, even if the overall economy slows.

With tens of thousands of jobs added every month so far this year—45,400 in February and 28,200 in March— the industry continues to hold the job creator mantle in the private sector as it gears up to add thousands of additional seasonal jobs this summer.

April’s job growth again highlights the strength of restaurants in the face of macroeconomic challenges, and represented the 28th consecutive month of payroll expansion in the restaurant industry.

Since 2021, the industry’s addition of more than 2.5 million jobs ranked as the economy’s top job creator, beating the professional and business services sector. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, the industry added nearly 180,000 jobs.

South Carolina has one of the 100 best restaurants for brunch

If you're craving brunch, OpenTable says head to Soby's New South Cuisine in Greenville.

The online reservation service puts Soby’s New South Cuisine in the top 100 brunch restaurants in the country.

It’s South Carolina’s only one to make the list.

OpenTable looks at reviews from real diners to pull together this list of best daytime dining spots, just in time for spring celebrations like graduation and Mother's Day.

Here’s how Soby’s describes itself on the Open Table website: “an eclectic blend of contemporary continental cuisine infused with traditional Southern ingredients, transforming old favorites into something fresh and new.”

Carl Sobocinski founded Soby’s New South Cuisine in 1997 back when downtown Greenville became a ghost town after 5 p.m. Department stores had fled to the mall. Other restaurants mainly catered to business people needing lunch.

He took what was once Cancellation Shoes and turned it into a cozy brick-walled space with a richly hued wooden bar and a class front that can be opened during warm weather. There is also a special table — 301 — that overlooks the kitchen.

As Sobocinski grew the business, opening new concepts around downtown, he took the name Table 301 as the parent company.

Soby’s says on Open Table, “The atmosphere is warm and energetic and the staff is well-trained to provide a fantastic dining experience for all of our guests. In addition, the wine list offers more than 500 selections and is a Wine Spectator Magazine award-winner regular.” by Lynn Luc (@curatedwithlynn)

Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays with an a la carte menu of “Soby’s classics and Chef’s features” such as Fried Green Tomato Benedict, Challah French Toast, Croque Monsieur and biscuits and gravy and a favorite at brunch and dinner, shrimp and grits.

In case you were wondering if Greenville and its highly touted foodie scene have a bit of an image problem, Open Table lists Soby’s on its drop-down menu as being in Charleston but the accompanying map is definitely Greenville.

Currently serving as Chair of the SCRLA's Board of Directors, Sobocinski has been a spokesman for Greenville and the restaurant industry across the state and nation.

On April 19, the SCRLA hosted its annual Hospitality Day at the State House featuring a Taste of South Carolina. This event showcased 23 restaurants and ProStart schools from all across the state serving a small sample of their menus, while giving more than 2,000 SCRLA members a chance to show lawmakers the impact of our $22.6 billion industry.

Events such as this provide restaurant and hotel operators an opportunity to discuss important legislative issues with their elected officials and the laws being considered that directly impact their business.

A concurrent resolution was also introduced by Representative J.A. Moore and adopted by both the House and Senate to celebrate the $17.4B annual economic impact the industry has in our state.

We thank everyone who joined us at this year's event. We are already looking forward to April 24, 2024