Applebee's of Clifton Gratuity
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It has been brought to the attention of our staff at Clifton Applebee's that our party of six or more gratuity policy has been revoked due to the abuse and mismanagement of other stores in our franchise. Our store to date has only received one complaint about the gratuity policy because of a misunderstanding. We as a whole would like to bring our current situation to Doherty Enterprises and Applebee's for further review.
Applebee's of Clifton is well known for being highest in sales in the company. While the store is highest in sales, that does not mean that the server staff makes more money. We are almost always on a fourteen chart inside with four servers outside on the patio during the Spring/Summer seasons. Our goal is to give WOW service to our guests and to be team players with our co-workers. In the past year, our tip quality has declined. Our servers tips out four percent while most other Applebee's tip out three percent. We also pay a food runner on weekends to help our servers spend more time with our guests. On weekends, our volume is so high that we often do not do cuts until after midnight. By then, all of the money to be made is that on half-price appetizers and waters. Most guests after 10 PM are ordering half-priced appetizers and waters. The party of six gratuity policy was a major relief to most of the servers this year. We no longer had to worry about getting $2 on $80 or higher, but we could give WOW service while being assured that we would at least make the gratuity if the guests were not familiar with how tipping works. Many of the guests at Applebee's in Clifton feel that $5 is a good tip no matter high the bill is. Often the bills that a $5 tip are left on are over $50. There are many nights where a server may walk with less than 8\% of their sales due to the quality of tips received throughout the night. Most of these low tips are received by families of four or more. While there is more money being received by Applebee's, the service staff is losing out in tip share.
We received word that Applebee's was going to switch back to gratuity on parties of eight or more if guest complaints continued to come in. Our General Manager, Carolyn, was more than helpful in finding a solution to this situation. She worked out a plan that put an end to guest complaints because of gratuity before we even could receive any. These rules were as follows:
Gratuity may only be added to a table if there are 6 adult entrees and beverages. Children do not count as a guest.
All meals must be full meals with beverages.
A manager must check the table to make sure there are six guests and eating at the table.
The server must notify the table that gratuity has been added.
Any server receiving a guest complaint due to gratuity will be written up and/or terminated.
While some of these rules and guidelines seemed unfair at times, such as the children's menu items not being counted as a guest, we did abide by these rules to the best of our ability and feel it was unfair to lose the one guarantee for a decent tip for hard work.
Several months ago Carolyn did some research on what restaurants were using parties of six or more gratuity. Carolyn wanted to present the company with a legit and valid reason for our restaurant to keep the gratuity policy in effect. The loss of hard earned money is not the general concern of the management or corporate staff of Applebee's or Doherty Enterprises. The servers are now doing double the work for half of the money. There are times where guests will compliment the server for great service while giving a less than 15\% tip because they simply do not know how tipping works.
We, Clifton Applebee's Servers/Hosts, have proposed this petition to be respectfully submitted.
We would like to have gratuity be automatically added to parties of six or more for the following reason:
During the weekend dinner hours, most families of four or more do not tip at least 15\%
During Half-Price Appetizers, we are doing double the work for half of the money. This often reflects in our tips.
We feel that our store abided strictly by the rules given to us. We strive to give WOW service, especially when we know gratuity is being added!
The party of six gratuity was a motivator for servers to take on sections that once were undesirable.
We only hold 4 tables in our restaurant that can accommodate a party of eight. Only one of those tables does not require chairs to be added to it.
Gratuity is optional. The guests do not have to pay the gratuity.
What we are proposing:
At least 15\% gratuity added to parties of 6 or more.
18\% gratuity added to parties of 8 or more.
We hereby present this petition to Doherty Enterprises and Applebee's International for further review and consideration.
Applebee's of Clifton is well known for being highest in sales in the company. While the store is highest in sales, that does not mean that the server staff makes more money. We are almost always on a fourteen chart inside with four servers outside on the patio during the Spring/Summer seasons. Our goal is to give WOW service to our guests and to be team players with our co-workers. In the past year, our tip quality has declined. Our servers tips out four percent while most other Applebee's tip out three percent. We also pay a food runner on weekends to help our servers spend more time with our guests. On weekends, our volume is so high that we often do not do cuts until after midnight. By then, all of the money to be made is that on half-price appetizers and waters. Most guests after 10 PM are ordering half-priced appetizers and waters. The party of six gratuity policy was a major relief to most of the servers this year. We no longer had to worry about getting $2 on $80 or higher, but we could give WOW service while being assured that we would at least make the gratuity if the guests were not familiar with how tipping works. Many of the guests at Applebee's in Clifton feel that $5 is a good tip no matter high the bill is. Often the bills that a $5 tip are left on are over $50. There are many nights where a server may walk with less than 8\% of their sales due to the quality of tips received throughout the night. Most of these low tips are received by families of four or more. While there is more money being received by Applebee's, the service staff is losing out in tip share.
We received word that Applebee's was going to switch back to gratuity on parties of eight or more if guest complaints continued to come in. Our General Manager, Carolyn, was more than helpful in finding a solution to this situation. She worked out a plan that put an end to guest complaints because of gratuity before we even could receive any. These rules were as follows:
Gratuity may only be added to a table if there are 6 adult entrees and beverages. Children do not count as a guest.
All meals must be full meals with beverages.
A manager must check the table to make sure there are six guests and eating at the table.
The server must notify the table that gratuity has been added.
Any server receiving a guest complaint due to gratuity will be written up and/or terminated.
While some of these rules and guidelines seemed unfair at times, such as the children's menu items not being counted as a guest, we did abide by these rules to the best of our ability and feel it was unfair to lose the one guarantee for a decent tip for hard work.
Several months ago Carolyn did some research on what restaurants were using parties of six or more gratuity. Carolyn wanted to present the company with a legit and valid reason for our restaurant to keep the gratuity policy in effect. The loss of hard earned money is not the general concern of the management or corporate staff of Applebee's or Doherty Enterprises. The servers are now doing double the work for half of the money. There are times where guests will compliment the server for great service while giving a less than 15\% tip because they simply do not know how tipping works.
We, Clifton Applebee's Servers/Hosts, have proposed this petition to be respectfully submitted.
We would like to have gratuity be automatically added to parties of six or more for the following reason:
During the weekend dinner hours, most families of four or more do not tip at least 15\%
During Half-Price Appetizers, we are doing double the work for half of the money. This often reflects in our tips.
We feel that our store abided strictly by the rules given to us. We strive to give WOW service, especially when we know gratuity is being added!
The party of six gratuity was a motivator for servers to take on sections that once were undesirable.
We only hold 4 tables in our restaurant that can accommodate a party of eight. Only one of those tables does not require chairs to be added to it.
Gratuity is optional. The guests do not have to pay the gratuity.
What we are proposing:
At least 15\% gratuity added to parties of 6 or more.
18\% gratuity added to parties of 8 or more.
We hereby present this petition to Doherty Enterprises and Applebee's International for further review and consideration.
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