PHX Reporter

Matty G's restaurant in Tempe is facing unprecedented times; they were forced to close last November after another restaurant poached nearly their entire staff.

"Basically come over, bring staff with you, and we'll give you a couple hundred per staff. You really shouldn't do that," Matt Gorman, owner of Matty G's in Tempe, said, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

"They didn't even give us two weeks' notice," Gorman said. "Nothing. We're open one day, and the next day, you don't have a staff, so it's brutal." 

The former general manager of Matty G's was hired by another restaurant and brought a large portion of the staff along with her. 

Fox 10 Phoenix reported that Gorman pays his staff a competitive rate: $16 to $20 an hour for kitchen staff. 

Allbusiness.com offered advice for retaining employees. "Unemployment may be a serious problem, but there are still opportunities for quality professionals," the website said. "Unfortunately, those opportunities may be at the restaurant down the street. With many restaurants struggling to meet payroll, and some can’t even consider giving employees raises, other restaurants are spending big bucks in order to poach great employees."

The website said that creating an enjoyable work environment, building a team, separating emotions in the restaurant, making employees feel heard, providing fair salaries for all positions, conducting performance reviews, providing perks, communicating with staff, implementing employees' ideas, and leading by example may help a business retain employees. 

Gorman said he wants diners to know that the restaurants affected have new staffs and are looking for patience while those staff members are being trained, according to Fox 10 Phoenix. 

Matty G's is currently hiring for its six Phoenix locations.