How Flexible Staffing Platforms Can Solve Singapore’s F&B Manpower Crisis

A Labour Crisis in the Kitchen: Understanding the Problem

Singapore’s F&B industry, despite being one of the most dynamic and culturally significant sectors, is struggling to keep pace with manpower needs. Restaurants, cafés, and hawker stalls alike face 20% to 30% staffing shortfalls, even after increasing salaries by 25% to 30% to attract local workers.

This was highlighted in Channel News Asia’s feature, which detailed how manpower shortages have reached critical levels—pushing some restaurants to reduce operating hours, cut menu offerings, or turn away customers.

Why Traditional Hiring Methods Are Falling Short

Even with wage increases, many Singaporeans remain hesitant to join the F&B sector due to:

• Long and irregular hours
• Physically demanding work
• Negative perceptions of hospitality jobs
• Competing job opportunities in less labour-intensive roles

As reported by The Straits Times, operators are spending more, yet not solving the root issue—rigid, outdated staffing models that don’t match today’s flexible workforce expectations.

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Enter Flexible Staffing: A Smarter Way Forward

Flexible staffing platforms offer an agile, tech-driven solution to this growing labour mismatch. These platforms connect employers to on-demand, pre-vetted part-time workers who can be deployed when needed.

Benefits include:

• Instant access to a pool of verified workers
• Reduced fixed headcount costs
• Schedule flexibility to match demand peaks
• Improved staff morale by distributing workload fairly

Case in Point: How Anytime Work Supports F&B Businesses

Anytime Work is a Singapore-based platform built to solve precisely this problem. The app allows restaurants to:

• Post shifts quickly
• Filter candidates based on role and experience
• Communicate directly with part-time workers
• Receive real-time notifications about worker availability

By simplifying the hiring process, Anytime Work allows F&B businesses to remain responsive, cost-efficient, and operational—even during manpower crunches.

Explore the platform here: Hire Staff with Anytime Work

F&B Industry Data Snapshot

Recent statistics underscore the urgency of adopting new staffing models:

• F&B sales in Singapore reached S$1.0 billion in Feb 2024, with 20.8% from online orders, according to SingStat.
• The sector lost 21,100 jobs between Q4 2019 and Q3 2021, as detailed by Channel News Asia.
• The overall unemployment rate improved to 2.0% in Q2 2024, but the F&B sector continues to lag in recovery, as reported in MOM’s Labour Market Report.

Final Thoughts: The Future of F&B Hiring Is Flexible

Singapore’s F&B industry is at a turning point. Traditional hiring alone won’t solve its challenges—but digital staffing platforms can.

With smart, scalable, and legally compliant hiring tools, platforms like Anytime Work give restaurants and hospitality businesses the support they need to stay open, serve customers well, and grow sustainably.

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References

1. Channel News Asia. (2024). Singapore restaurant sector faces labour crunch despite higher wages.
   https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-restaurant-food-beverage-manpower-shortage-raise-salary-cost-4141651
   
2. The Straits Times. (2023). F&B outlets struggle to hire despite offering higher pay.
   https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/fb-outlets-struggle-to-hire-despite-offering-higher-pay-0
   
3. Ministry of Manpower (MOM). (2024). Labour Market Report Q2 2024.
   https://stats.mom.gov.sg/iMAS_PdfLibrary/mrsd-Labour-Market-Report-2Q-2024.pdf
   
4. Department of Statistics Singapore. (2024). Monthly Retail Sales and F&B Index – February 2024.
   https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/news/mrsfeb2024.ashx