Lucas Appleton said he’s about to lose $1,000 a month after the Hampton Social, a restaurant on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, is changing the way he’s paid as a server.
The change would add a 20% service charge onto customers’ bills. Records WPTV’s Ethan Stein obtained show employees would only receive 18% of that charge while the restaurant kept 2% for expenses.
Appleton said the change will create a big gap for people in this industry, who live paycheck to paycheck. He also said it will become harder to pay for daily expenses.
“It’s going to change up my budget a lot,” he said. “I try to live a simple life. I’m not too crazy and I don’t go out and party very much anymore. But, just simply paying for rent, which has continued to go up… It’s drastic to lose $1,000 a month in this economy.”
Organizers said similar protests are also happening at the chain’s other locations in Orlando and Naples. Appleton said he’s also frustrated the restaurant is duping customers as if the money is going to staff.