Competition is fierce within Nashville's growing food scene.
It all boils down to supply and demand. As Nashville keeps growing, and developers keep building, the stakes are even higher to find qualified employees.
"The labor market is challenging because people have more and more opportunities so we have to raise our wages and increase benefits, bonuses, and other perks in order to be competitive," said Randy Rayburn, Midtown Cafe Owner.
Rayburn has been offering his employees health benefits for years now, and so far it's been working.
"Right now we're hiring we're looking for people for sure," said Ryan toll, Wild Cow, Manager.
Over in East Nashville, the Wild Cow keeps Toll employed.
Though the Wild Cow doesn't offer health benefits, the owners find other perks to get their employees to stay.
"After two years of working here we get a week of paid vacation, which is really awesome," said Toll.
But sometimes even with the perks, it's hard to keep employees on the pay roll.
"We'll get people, and maybe a month or two later they're gone, so it is tough to hold on to people sometimes," said Toll.
In the fast pace of the hospitality business, and as Nashville continues to grow, it's putting employees first that seems to go a long way.
"It makes a big difference to have the owners put their employees at the top of their priorities," said Toll.
The number of restaurant permits is growing by five-percent each year in Nashville.
