11/04/2024
A yes vote would increase server minimum wage to $15 incrementally, and allow for pooling of tips with management and kitchen staff. This change would increase our labor costs by around 40% (our profit margins vary between 5-8%) and would put us out of business if we did nothing. We have survived COVID and will always adjust and make it as a business... but there will be significant changes.
This is what it would mean for our restaurant (and most likely others that will survive this change):
15-20% price increases
Reduction of kitchen wages to minimum wage, AND including them in tip pool - most likely 50%.
In the long run some restaurants will close, and people who work in the business full time (our managers and shift leaders) will likely change industry as all front of house workers will end up making less money.
We will have to strongly consider switching to counter service for the restaurant if the above options don't work.
The quality of service guests receive on average will very quickly decline, as there won't be much incentive to do anything beyond the absolute basic tasks.
Back of house (kitchen and janitorial) staff will move on to corporate spots (or even different industries altogether) because their wages will be inherently lower than they currently are. This is incredibly unfair and most owners do NOT want to do this, but it might just be the only way to mitigate the incredible labor overhead we'd all be forced to abide by.
Over 90% of restaurant employees across the board don’t want this. A vote in favor of ballot question #5 only stands to benefit large corporations and franchise companies like Applebee's, Chili's, etc. In an ideal world, we would all love to be able to vote yes, but we don't live in an ideal world. The risks far outweigh the benefits at this moment in time, and this ballot question can and should absolutely be revisited in the future. But right now, as it stands, voting no on question 5 will guarantee your favorite local bars, restaurants, cafes, and other eateries can survive and thrive while continuing to give you the wonderful service you look for when going out.
Please educate your friends and family!
