A restaurant in Safety Harbor has implemented a commission-based pay model to pay servers and other support staff.
Southern Fresh on 3rd Avenue North adds a 20% service charge to every check for customers who dine at the restaurant.
The fee does not apply to takeout orders.
Servers receive 15%, while other support staff like bartenders and runners share the other 5%.
“At the end of the day, it lets everyone work based on commission rather than hourly and tips,” said Aaron Stewart, owner of Southern Fresh.
WFTS “There has always been a bridge, a big gap between front-of-the-house pay and back-of-the-house pay, and this has allowed us to bridge that gap,” said Stewart.
Southern Fresh has been in business for nearly 12 years. About a year ago, the restaurant implemented the service charge.
Customers may add an additional tip for exceptional service. If a customer leaves an additional tip, the server receives it in full.
Stewart said the new pay model allows them to avoid raising menu prices and fight the rising costs of operating a restaurant.