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July 5, 1999
Web posted at: 3:16 p.m. EDT (1916 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Higher pay and stable employment have brought an abundance of customers to U.S. restaurants, as more people choose to eat out rather than cook in.

"We're looking at sales that today are $354 billion, but we're going to see them by the year 2010 go up to over $500 billion," says restaurant expert Eric Ruff.

But the good times have brought new challenges to the restaurant industry, second only to the federal government in number of employees. For U.S. eateries to stay in business, they must find new ways to keep employees.

"Business is booming, but there's a shortage of help," consultant Raymond Coen says.

They must also find ways to keep workers happy.

"However the staff member feels about the restaurant they're working for, that's what they're going to convey to their guests," said Bob Spivak, a restaurant owner.

Restaurants these days provide more than extra spending money in the summer; they offer serious career opportunities. Manager Val Perez lists some perks on his platter: a retirement fund, profit sharing, bonuses, medical coverage.

"The 401K ... helps me start something that maybe I can carry over to somewhere else if I do get a new job," waiter Ian Martin says. "Even the benefits are making me stay here even longer. I've been here like seven years."

Ruff says the benefits, which include signing bonuses, are leading to greater employee satisfaction.

"And with greater employee satisfaction, you get greater customer satisfaction," he said.

Given the shortage of restaurant employees, applicants may not be served the traditional line of "Don't call us. We'll call you."

Instead they may hear, "How much we need you. How important you are to us. What a great career our company will provide for you. Please come to work with us," says Coen.

Industry officials say that with all the benefits being offered, employers aren't doing the interviewing. The potential employees are interviewing the employers.