>” I’ve been told to wait a few days before cashing paychecks, and have had direct deposits not go through because of “accounting issues.”

I think that illustrates the issue right there.

Few Restaurants are money printing machines. Most are shoe-string endeavors.

The ways out are: higher prices (and fewer customers). Automation (cut costs further).

I have a limit as to how much I’m going to pay for “atmosphere” and not having to prep something at home.

Higher prices may result in better pay, but it also means fewer restaurants and fewer staff.