Short of Workers, Restaurants Turn to Robots

Experts have warned for years that robots will replace humans in restaurants. Instead, a twist on that prediction is unfolding. Amid the lowest unemployment in years, fast-food restaurants are turning to machines--not to get rid of workers, but because they can't find enough. The hospitality industry had 844,000 unfilled positions in April, a record high, according to the Labor Department. Employment in food service and drinking places has increased by 1.6 million since May 2013 to 11.9 million in May 2018.