中餐廳 can start PERM for him now, but it will be years before he can start working for the 中餐廳 legally, based on 中餐廳's this PERM-I140-I485 sponsprship. He can work if he can get EAD from another eligibility. Also H2B number is not reached yet (but close), 中餐廳 can also file a temporary LC in order to sponsor H2B and there is a hope he can work later this year.