A restaurant revolution is happening under the Big Sky. As eating establishments reopen after the COVID shutdowns, the industry is facing challenges—most critically, finding workers. People employed in the business of preparing and serving food traditionally earn low wages while working long hours. As reported by Brad Griffin, president of the Montana Retail Association, an umbrella organization for the Montana Restaurant Association, the minimum wage in Montana is $8.75, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25. By and large, restaurateurs have expressed a need for change, and for many the COVID pandemic was the last straw.
Jun 13, 2025