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katdaddygirl
New member
Username: katdaddygirl
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:22 am: | 
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I work at a small family owned Cafe that has an special ALL YOU CAN EAT Catfish special on Friday and Saturday nights. I guess I have the cheapest customers around becuase I am usually happy if I get a dollar per person on average per table. This cafe is in a small town about 12 miles from a large city with TONS of resturants. We serve their food at the table, bring out as many refills on fish, fries, hushpuppies, beans and coleslaw as they want. Our motto is if you leave hungry it's your fault!! Anyway, it is typical that I made many trips to a table. The bill for one person for ONe all you can eat and tea( normal drink here) is about $10.25 per person... what kind of tip would you expect??
Am I just screwing myself by staying in this job?? |
linda
New member
Username: linda
Post Number: 269
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:35 am: |
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katdaddygirl,
You didn't say how much you walk with on a Friday/Saturday night.
Also...how fast do your tables turn?
I server at a family style chain restaurant. Servers get tipped low or nothing alot of the time. I've ofen wondered if fine dining would be better (tip wise and clientel wise).
But...I look at what I walk with; I don't have to tip anyone out; manager is flexible with schedule;
my tables turn fast enough to help make up for the bad tips; do I get along with my co-workers; and the list can go on.
We all stay at or leave restaurants for various reasons. |
katdaddygirl
New member
Username: katdaddygirl
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 05:14 am: |
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Well it depends, I share sections with another server on Fridays and I have anywhere from 7 to 11 tables ( we alternate sections each week) On average I get about $35-40 per Friday night and it sometimes goes up to about almost $60 on a really busy night. On Saturdays I have the whole place to myself( all 20 tables!!) and I can make anywhere from $50 to almost $80 on a great night) We are open from 5-9 on Friday nights and 4-9 on Saturdays. Some of my tables can turn really fast, after all it is all you can eat and we don't cook it unless they want it, so they get good, hot fish all the time! They know they may have to wait for it for very long. But some tables, you know the ones, they stay and stay and stay. We work with a crew of 4 on Fridays and 3 on Saturdays, we average about 80-100 on Fridays and about that on Saturdays too on a good weekend, it all just depends on what's going on and how many folks are in town( 12miles away)
I LOVE what I do, believe me, if I didn't, I wouldn't still be there, I work with my MIL 5 nights a week and since December have wanted to KILL her countless times!! But for the most partI won't leave, because I have customers who come because I am there and won't at lunch because I am not there, we consistently beat the lunch hours at dinner, but then again this is a small town cafe, keep that in mind.
I know I don't make alot for the amount of work I do, heck I figured out the other night, I do the job of 5 people, I am the waitress, hostess, cashier, busy boy and dishwasher... yeah I am WAY underpaid!!LOL!! But, like I said I love what I do, I adore my customers I have many regulars and they always tell me if I ever leave where I am, they better know first!!
Anyway, thanks for the info, |
linda
New member
Username: linda
Post Number: 270
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 08:24 am: |
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katdaddygirl,
Sounds like the money you make is not very much compared to what you will make at another restaurant on a Friday and Saturday night.
I take home $85 - $120 on Friday and Saturday nights. That's a 5 - 12 shift.
I also must do the job of 5 people at various times...not dishwashing. So I know how you feel.
Best bet would be to visit some other restaurants in the area..and simply ask the servers how much they are making on the weekends.
Also...I make $2.83 an hour. Not sure if your restaurant pays you more per hour since you are doing all-you-can-eat.
"Loving what you do" is also something to take into consideration. You can make more elsewhere...but not enjoy the fellow staff or management.
One option is to work two places at once..and see if the grass is greener on the other side.
Good luck. |
katdaddygirl
New member
Username: katdaddygirl
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 09:25 am: |
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Well to answer some of your questions, This is a family(dh's) owned and operated place. We don't get paid an hourly wage, I make my tips and that is it. (according to their accountant, you don't have to pay family members, so they don't, and everyone that works there is family)
Business is good at some times of the year and sometimes not so great... Also, the people here are sooo cheap, they don't tip like other places even thought they get great food and service, they still don't tip. Last night I had a guy walk in the door 5 minutes before we closed, held us up for 30 minutes while he took his time to eat and then he didn't leave a tip... REALLY torked me off!! Many of them DON'T leave a tip, I have some customers that are VERY generous. I can't realistically work at two place at one time, I have two boys and with summer coming up, I don't have anyone to watch them and daycare is soo not an option. |
vozveratu
New member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 576
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 09:38 am: |
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Are alot of people who visit the store knowledgable of the fact that you are all family?
You know what is funny? The accountant says family doesn't have to pay, and at the same time, most of the customers probably assume your being taken care of because it's a family restaurant.
I feel bad for you in that aspect.
The question is: Are you happy? If no- find a better job. If yes- suck it up and enjoy the ride.
Good luck. |
linda
New member
Username: linda
Post Number: 271
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 09:39 am: |
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"We don't get paid an hourly wage"
I never knew that family members did not have to get paid. I'd check into that rule.
oh my!!! How cheap!! Wearing 5 hats...seems like they found a way to "abuse" family. Do the math..and you can figure out how much you are making per hour....to wear 5 hats!
I would at least check into other restaurants and ask the servers how much they are making.
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vozveratu
New member
Username: vozveratu
Post Number: 577
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 09:42 am: |
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Are alot of people who visit the store knowledgable of the fact that you are all family?
You know what is funny? The accountant says family doesn't have to pay, and at the same time, most of the customers probably assume your being taken care of because it's a family restaurant.
I feel bad for you in that aspect.
The question is: Are you happy? If no- find a better job. If yes- suck it up and enjoy the ride.
Good luck. |
vitalryan
New member
Username: vitalryan
Post Number: 19
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 01:37 am: |
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holy god, if you aren't breaking $100 on Friday and Saturday nights in this business, you are at the wrong restaurant.
I ALWAYS make $150 or more Friday and Saturday nights, very often it's over $200.
BUT, I also don't live where you do, so sometimes the people out in the boon-docks don't make very much working their union blue collar jobs, and don't tip for garbage, a buck or two here or there, as well as the fact that making $300 a week there may not be all that bad... who knows. |
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