VA, MD Franchise Owner Gives Workers Paid Day Off

VIRGINIA — As vaccinations increase, many more people are venturing out to dine at restaurants for the first time in over a year. But those workers preparing their food and serving them never left amid pandemic uncertainty and now a nationwide labor shortage. One local franchisee in Maryland and Virginia wants to say thanks to those workers with a paid day off.

Amir Yazdi, owner of eight UNO Pizzeria & Grill locations in Kingstowne, Manassas, Falls Church, Norfolk and Tabb, Virginia as well as Ellicott City, Baltimore and Frederick, Maryland, will give all staff paid time off on Wednesday, May 26. The "Wellness Wednesday" day off affects 226 UNO employees at the eight locations.

"We've all been working harder than we've ever worked before," Yazdi told Patch. "My people just need a day off."

Yazdi acknowledged that UNO is one of the businesses impacted by the nationwide labor shortage and that staff sometimes could be working multiple roles. He believes the circumstances call for "creative" solutions to address worker morale. For his UNO locations, that solution was a paid day off.

"When we're as understaffed as we are, now is the time to just give everyone a break," said Yazdi.

One of the employees often working beyond managerial duties is Kelly Castrina, the general manager of the Falls Church location for 18 years. She told Patch employees are cross-trained, and the managers started as cooks and hosts, so they "know how to wear many hats."

Castrina's staff were taken aback by the announcement but are happy and grateful for the day off.

"When you have a happy employee, obviously they're going to give great customer service to the guest," said Castrina.

For UNO and its employees, the pandemic has been an era of uncertainty. Restaurants initially had to close dining rooms and focus on takeout service in the early months. Once dining rooms could open again, restaurants had to ensure they were following COVID-19 guidelines. Yazdi and Castrina both agreed that one of the more challenging aspects has been keeping up with changes in COVID-19 restrictions.

But there have also been bright spots. Castrina said loyal customers ordered takeout frequently when the dining room was closed, and the restaurant has sent orders to feed staff at nearby Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Now sales are starting to inch up, and Castrina is seeing some customers return who haven't dined there for over a year. Lunchtime business hasn't quite returned to normal as it is driven by nearby offices, but dinner has become busy with takeout and dine-in service. Castrina projects from a revenue standpoint things could get back to normal in late summer or early fall.

Even as restrictions are eased, Castrina wants to keep an emphasis on safety for guests and staff.

"Once dining rooms opened, I felt like the guests are going to remember what you did during that time, and they're going to be loyal and return," said Castrina.

Customers will have to wait one more day for the Chicago-style pizzas as employees take time to recharge Wednesday. Nevertheless, customers will be rewarded with a buy one, get one pizza deal on Monday or Thursday through Saturday.