“In order to provide a higher-than-average, dependable wage, we shifted to a no-tipping model and doubled the hourly rate to more than $30/hr for our service staff. This shift also benefits our guests, who can enjoy Casa Bonita without incurring unexpected costs,” management said.
I would be surprised if $30/hr is an increase. Since they already serve the food cafeteria style, their waitstaff can handle more tables at once than waitstaff in a more traditional restaurant model. $30/hr in tips in Denver isn’t really that much.
It was always more about smoothing out the dead/busy times for me. Don’t schedule me if I’m going to sit around doing nothing and not earning tips, but also don’t underschedule the busy times leaving me to handle too many tables and losing tips because the quality of my work drops. Maybe a flat $30/he will drive the restaurant to schedule more efficiently.