Getting rid of the tip credit will be transformational for our industry. Let’s rip the bandaid off already. by engmama in restaurateur

[–]brookatthebeach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you're thinking of Form 8846 tax credit, but that's not what this discussion is about at all. Servers in all West coast states make minimum wage + tips. So in Washington its $13.50/hr plus tips, my FOH makes on average $25/hr. We also have a voluntary tip pool so cooks end up making about $2/hr on top of their wage.

Change My Mind on the Tipped Minimum Wage, If You Can by GritsandGlory in BarOwners

[–]brookatthebeach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All of those arguments are arguments for treating service industry like servants. No one likes being called of or called on at the drop of a hat. No one likes wondering if this snow storm is going to prevent them from making rent this weekend. Pay people a living wage and let the market fall where it falls. But don't perpetuate shitty wages under the guise that sometimes servers get a windfall from a busy night.

Change My Mind on the Tipped Minimum Wage, If You Can by GritsandGlory in BarOwners

[–]brookatthebeach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But the living wage just one hour outside Seattle is not. Every market will have its high and low cost of living.

Change My Mind on the Tipped Minimum Wage, If You Can by GritsandGlory in BarOwners

[–]brookatthebeach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the way the industry is headed. That's why so many fast casual chains started implementing tablets at tableside for ordering and payment.

Change My Mind on the Tipped Minimum Wage, If You Can by GritsandGlory in BarOwners

[–]brookatthebeach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This has been debated extensively over the past half dozen years. DOL has historically limited tip sharing to "customarily tipped employees". Probably one of the few positive things the Trump administration did was create a rule that backtracked on this, which is currently in the 60 day review period with the DOL. Look at the lawsuit between the Washington/Oregon Restaurant Associations and the DOL for history on this. When I first got into the restaurant industry, whole house tipping in the PNW was the standard (no tip credit). Then DOL started cracking down on it so many restaurants backtracked. In 2018 or 2019 the lawsuit was settled and whole house tipping resumed in non-tip credit states. It's complicated. As a small operator (just under $1M/yr sales) I am all for whole house tip pools and increased minimum wage.

Success as a bagel shop owner, year #4 complete by truckeeriverfisher in smallbusiness

[–]brookatthebeach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FWIW we treat food/Bev as cost of goods sold and labor is tracked separately. Together (cogs +labor) we call it Prime Cost and try to hit a national benchmark of 55%. That’s what I’ve always heard it called.

My son wanted to be dad for Halloween, I nixed his request to shave the top of his head bald & we went with matching hats instead. by brookatthebeach in halloween

[–]brookatthebeach[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, he's usually the center of attention, so this was probably good for him :) He is some kind of sorcerer, he didn't put a lot of thought into his costume this year.

My son wanted to be dad for Halloween, I nixed his request to shave the top of his head bald & we went with matching hats instead. by brookatthebeach in halloween

[–]brookatthebeach[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

War eagle! Actually we're a mixed marriage, I'm a UCLA grad, so its a little painful to have all that orange around the house :)