This Kentucky Restaurant’s New ‘No Tipping’ Policy is Genius
A restaurant in Newport, Kentucky is making national headlines putting a 'no tipping' policy in effect. Packhouse Meats' tipping ban may seem strange, but it's way more awesome than you think.
The restaurant has 'No Tipping' signs posted throughout its facility, and when customers pay by credit card, there is no option to leave a tip on the order receipt. Bob Conway, the owner of Packhouse Meats, revealed in an interview that he's been inundated with negative reviews on Yelp for what appears to be mistreatment of his servers. A closer look at the new policy reveals that it's not awful--it's awesome.
Here's how it works: severs are paid $10 an hour OR 20% of their individual food sales during their shifts--whichever amount is higher. Anyone who has ever waited tables before knows how rad this policy is. It's basically a guarantee that you're going to make good money.
Let's break it down: if you worked a 5 hour shift and brought in $500 in food sales (which is suuuuuuper easy to do at any busy restaurant; TRUST); if you earn 20% of that, you take home $100--that's twice the amount you'd make at the rate of $10/hour.
I think Packhouse Meat's 'No Tipping' policy is awesome because it works for the restaurant AND its servers; the servers are motivated to push food sales (which means more $$$ for the restaurant), and the restaurant takes care of its employees with a guarantee that they'll make a decent wage (which means happy servers).
I also think the 'No Tipping' policy is awesome because it eliminates what I call the Jerk Factor. There are few things in life more infuriating than busting it to take care of a table who leaves a chump change tip. You hustle like crazy to make sure these people's drinks stay refilled, their orders are delivered promptly and accurately, their every need is attended to--all with warmth and courtesy-- and they repay you with a $5 tip on a $125 check. Thanks, party of six, you guys must all be greaaaaaat people.
Packhouse Meats has taken the Jerk Factor out of the equation and ensured that their servers get the pay the deserve. Their owner gets an A++ in my book, but what do you think? Is their policy a good idea? Tell me how you feel in the comments below!