Waitr Holdings Inc., the Lake Charles-based food delivery operator, has embarked on a hiring drive in New Orleans, despite a summer of upheaval that saw top-level executive departures, a slump of more than 90% in the company’s share price and a rash of investor lawsuits.
The company said that despite its troubles, it is looking to grow its New Orleans staff by a third, hiring 100 new drivers on top of the 200 it already employs in the city. “The rapid growth in the New Orleans area has brought about the need for this hiring,” English Nassif, Waitr city manager for New Orleans, said in a statement.
Waitr, which was founded six years ago by Lafayette native Chris Meaux, went public with a Nasdaq share listing last November at just under $12 a share. The company’s share price climbed to a high above $15 in March but has since been in a long slump in reaction to weaker-than-expected financial results, lawsuits by current and former employees alleging they were paid at rates that didn’t comply with labor law and the departure of David Pringle as chief financial officer.
Meaux, who remains chairman, relinquished his chief executive role in August.