I’ve known some career food service folks. Even if the money is good, I don’t think it’s something to stick with long term if you can avoid it. It’s hard to be present for a family and kids when your working hours are often when the kids are home from school. There’s little to no retirement prospects and it’s difficult to set up long term savings for such since it’s all on you (totally possible, but you’ve got to be intentional about it). Plus most restaurants don’t offer things like health insurance. Everything is in the moment with those jobs… nothing is planned for the long term. As such, it’s difficult to grow.

Folks in food service have my respect. I always hope the best ones find a way out eventually (proprietors excluded). Or I hope they find a way up where they can grow and get access to those employment benefits at whatever restaurant they’re at…