What is your policy for discounted food for employees? Different for FOH/BOH?  What about  employees coming in to eat  when they are off? Do you do more for your mamnagers?

I need to get the wheels turning in my brain about this. Thanks.

Hi Linda!

Here's what we do:

All hourly staff receive an $8 meal credit for their shift ($16 for a double).  We have specific rules about shift eligibility and using the credit.  While on-shift, iced tea, water, hot tea, and coffee are free, and don't count towards the credit. 

We offer all staff a 20% discount (excl alcohol and retail) when in the restaurant as a guest.  Again, we have some very specific rules about when you become a guest. 

We don't really have a mgt policy, as it's just my husband and I.  We have a manager meal comp that we use that is basically unlimited - but if we were to bring on a manager we would probably assign a daily or shift limit. 

Hope this helps!  :) 

 

 

Laina Shockley
Ethos Vegan Kitchen

We offer 3 different $2.00 employee meals per day (this really helps the Chef to move certain items) or the employee can order selected items from our menu at a 50% discount.  Employees must order before 11:45 or after 1:45. 

On the employees day off they are allowed to come in with friends or family and recieve a 10% discount, excluding holidays and alcoholic beverages.  If we are busy I ask them to please use their better judgement and try a different time, unless they are with thier parents/family.  No alcohol is to ever be served to anyone employeed with us.

All packaged or bottled goods are full price, all coffee, iced tea and sodas from the gun are free during the employees shift.

Managers get one free meal a day from select items on the menu - no seafood or steaks. 

Hope this helps.

 

The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.  -HST

During the shift 50% off food.  Soda is free.  Bottle drinks/pkgd goods FULL price.  Coming in off hours FULL price.  Don't order anything while we are busy.  No food to leave the store (generally)

 

 

cheers.

We have been struggling with this decision as well. We used to have a policy that during your shift you were entitled to one free sandwich or salad. We were figuring might as well just allow a small amount to those that need it during their shift.. no big deal. This turned into: If I work a 2 hr lunch shift, I am entitled to a to-go bag with a brisket dinner including 2 sides and cornbread. And all the free pop I can drink. We changed that to nobody takes food home. If you are hungry, you may have something. But there is nothing to stop you from bringing a bagged lunch like people do at other workplaces. But right now that is a little too vague... trying to decide what will work for our place. I appreciate all the suggestions given so far!

Hi Linda

Manager shift meals should be part of the manager perks/benefits.  Other employees... that depends on what you want.  Most places are 50% of list price on shift (duration of shift should be explained in employee handbook).  Personally, I would not offer "to go" option.  The food should be consumed on premises.  That'd cut down potential for misuse.

Gridlock - Bagged meals from outside your store (with the exception of your OTHER store) opens a whole new can o'worms.  That potentially leads to Mickey D, BK, KFC bags/wrappers in your store from your own employees.  Additionally, you really don't want other people's food in your walk-in/reach-in.

Ciao,

Half off for front of the house before or after shift, free meal for more than two meal periods.  Kitchen eats free but I ask that it's rung up and comped so I can account for it in idea vs. actual food cost.  The kitchen is going to eat any way, I'm just trying to account for it.  It hasn't worked.

Tiped employees 50% off.  No steaks or seafood.  Kitchen free food.  Again no steaks or seafood.  Occasionally a cook has a taste for a steak he gives me 5 bucks I say ok.  Makes him feel good that I am flexable.  No take home either.  Ive seen a 7lb country table omelet leave my restaurant once.  That was one of my cooks going home to feed there family.  Even if a cook comes in on a day off he can eat for free.  But this is because I know my cooks well.  They are like family to me.  They work even harder when they see my generosity.  Other wise they will make a lot of steak mistakes and will eat very well anyways or steal.

Yasou

George