Gone are the days when restaurant groups like McDonald’s hired teenagers as part-time workers. Instead, eatery chains are now turning to senior centers, churches, and websites like AARP to attract the 50-plus age group to their workforce.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, things have changed after 2003 with many more senior citizens getting absorbed in the workforce. The Bureau predicts that between 2014 and 2024, the number of working Americans aged 65 to 74 will grow 4.5%, while those aged 16 to 24 will decrease 1.4%.

The age-shift has been driven by several factors. With the U.S. economy taking a U-turn for the better, there are now far more jobs available than there are workers. Moreover, most youngsters are opting for settled and secure jobs rather than working at restaurants. On the other hand, Americans are living longer and therefore want to have enough in their retirement kitty. Therefore, they are looking for part-time work to increase their savings.

For restaurateurs, hiring senior citizens is advantageous because they get seasoned workers for the same wage they would pay a fresher, which is about $9.81 an hour.