Domino’s Pizza Group PLC (LON:DOM) is hiring 5,000 new workers to fill the gap left by temporary staff.
The fast-food chain took in an extra 6,000 people in March 2020 to cope with huge demand for takeaways because of lockdowns.
READ: Domino’s Pizza completes giveaway of Swedish business as it pays ‘buyer’ £1.8mln to take it
The new recruits included event managers, taxi drivers and hairdressers, the BBC reported, who were all struggling to continue their careers amid restrictions.
As these are now easing, many of them are returning to their previous jobs.
Domino’s has taken part in the government's Kickstart scheme and is offering 1,400 apprenticeships to young people.
"I'm proud we were able to play a part by offering people the opportunity to continue working and earning when times were tough," operations director Nicola Frampton was reported as saying.
"But as people start to reunite, customer demand is showing no signs of slowing and so we're now looking for 5,000 new recruits."
The news comes as trade body UKHospitality warned of an acute front-of-house staff and chefs shortage as bars and restaurants start reopening.
A survey shared last week suggested a current vacancy rate across the sector of 9%, implying 188,000 workers are needed.
The group said it’s because restrictions are hitting confidence, while Brexit and travel restrictions are playing a big part, as many people who returned to their home countries said the cost of quarantine on return was preventing them from coming back.
In a separate announcement, Domino’s said it has completed the sale of its entire shareholding in its Icelandic arm, agreed for £13.7mln in March.
Shares rose 1% to 367.82p on Tuesday late morning.