Diners at the high-end restaurant prepay for their meals with tickets, which include a 20% service charge. Every member of Alinea's staff makes at least minimum wage and management receives a salary.
Why: Before the ticketing system was put in place, the average tip at Alinea was 21.8%, according to Kokonas. But he said there was a large variance between what the workers in the back and front of the house were taking home.
The result: Kokonas said his payroll taxes have gone up, but that the change has provided his staff a fair and consistent pay.
