Labor shortages lead companies to limit consumer choices

• Businesses are scaling back offerings and simplifying services to keep operating efficiently with fewer staff.
• Before COVID, companies spent decades expanding their variety of products to boost revenue and appeal to every taste.
• Supply troubles are likely to ease, but labor gaps could persist.

Good Stuff Eatery, a Washington, D.C.-based hamburger chain, never thought twice about filling out its menu with dishes outside its specialty.

But with labor shortages limiting staff to about half its pre-pandemic level, Good Stuff finally made some tough choices a few months ago.  

Gone are the portabello sandwich, tuna melt and ice cream sundae.