New York (CNN Business) With unemployment rates near record lows, workers have plenty of options. Taco Bell hopes that "hiring parties" with free food, swag and Instagram-friendly photo props will lure in new employees.

"The tight labor market has made hiring more challenging for Taco Bell and the restaurant industry as a whole," Frank Tucker, Taco Bell's chief people officer, told CNN Business in an email. "We are excited and optimistic that the Hiring Parties will help increase applicant flow," he added.

The fast food chain said on Thursday that it is planning to host nearly 600 parties across the country from April 22 to 27 to help fill thousands of open jobs.

In addition to the free food, people will be able to interview for open positions on the spot.

To try to attract talent, the brand is offering other perks, like one free meal per shift for employees at company-owned stores, leadership development programs and tuition discounts. The starting salary at corporate-owned stores is above $10 per hour on average, according to the company, which noted that it doesn't set the salary at franchises.