In a plan that starts nationwide Monday, the chain owned by Orlando-based Darden Restaurants
will eliminate busboys, demote many waiters and reduce the number of
servers working each shift by assigning each four tables instead of
three....
"We're putting the best talent on the floor, and there's a service assistant who is playing a more active role in serving the guests during the meal," Schauer said.
Restaurant companies in general are trying to trim expenses as they face increased competition and rising costs for food and health care. Chili's has eliminated busboys and now pairs up servers who wait up to 10 tables at a time. That system has saved $25 million.
At Red Lobster, some waiters and waitresses will be demoted to service assistants, though Schauer said many will become servers again. Schauer said there won't be "a significant difference" in the number of employees working at any given time but would not provide details.
No one was laid off, Schauer said. Busboys are being moved to other positions.
Everyone hired to wait tables must now start as a service assistant, which critics say could discourage experienced workers from applying there. Service assistants are expected to earn less in tips, the bulk of wait staff's income. Instead of earning their own tips, they will get a small share of what the servers receive.
Darden made tip-sharing mandatory at Olive Garden and Red Lobster last year, when it also slashed hourly wages for busboys and bartenders. The amount of tips servers will required to share will increase under the new system, workers say. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-12/business/os-red-lobster-service-assistants-20120712_1_red-lobster-darden-restaurants-servers
I know if I was a server, I would be pissed, but as a customer, it may be good as there is a chance the restaurant will lower costs.
I've seen other restaurants do this and as a customer, I didn't notice the difference.
It will be interesting to see if anyone leaves employment at Red Lobster, especially in this economy.
"We're putting the best talent on the floor, and there's a service assistant who is playing a more active role in serving the guests during the meal," Schauer said.
Restaurant companies in general are trying to trim expenses as they face increased competition and rising costs for food and health care. Chili's has eliminated busboys and now pairs up servers who wait up to 10 tables at a time. That system has saved $25 million.
At Red Lobster, some waiters and waitresses will be demoted to service assistants, though Schauer said many will become servers again. Schauer said there won't be "a significant difference" in the number of employees working at any given time but would not provide details.
No one was laid off, Schauer said. Busboys are being moved to other positions.
Everyone hired to wait tables must now start as a service assistant, which critics say could discourage experienced workers from applying there. Service assistants are expected to earn less in tips, the bulk of wait staff's income. Instead of earning their own tips, they will get a small share of what the servers receive.
Darden made tip-sharing mandatory at Olive Garden and Red Lobster last year, when it also slashed hourly wages for busboys and bartenders. The amount of tips servers will required to share will increase under the new system, workers say. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-07-12/business/os-red-lobster-service-assistants-20120712_1_red-lobster-darden-restaurants-servers
I know if I was a server, I would be pissed, but as a customer, it may be good as there is a chance the restaurant will lower costs.
I've seen other restaurants do this and as a customer, I didn't notice the difference.
It will be interesting to see if anyone leaves employment at Red Lobster, especially in this economy.
Servers will be happy to get another table. Any competant server can run four tables easily. They'll make more int he long run.
ReplyDeleteThe number of shifts worked by servers are being cut,so any increase in number of tables will be negated. Hours are being cut so long term employees quit, therefor Darden does'nt have to pay for vacation hours or other benefits
ReplyDeleteDarden is screwing over dedicated servers! Demoting for no reasons!! This is complete B.S! What they should have done is hire new servers, not demote servers that they are trying to weed out!
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want to put a server who can't even handle three tables on the floor with four? Come on people get some common sense. You know they could have let these people go but instead are giving them an opportunity to improve. Lesson for this vote Romney!!!
ReplyDeleteAs a server, I'm very happy with four tables. My income has changed for the better. Granted , when i realized i pay out $20 to $30 dollars a night , which means , in my meager life, a $400 car payment, a month ,it hurts. The payback is worth it. Ive been a server for some time, add another table. Just wait till after auce shrimp. Add a fifth table. All i request is a happy place to work. Tell me bad , hated, and correct. What about the hers of perfection . Lobster Dollars...... Talk to us like you as managers feel our pain.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Darden employee. I agree. I think all these cut backs are bullshit and at the end of the day they're screwing us over! I'm not even a server, but the heartvof house is no better. people with less experience than me make more and I'm a Professional Chef! I work in Houston Texas and my General manager said my culinary degree doesn't mean shit. I can tell everyone that the location I work at has lost 10 employees n counting because everyone is tired of the bullshit. Enjoy ur money. Ceo pricks. -anonymous Chef
ReplyDelete