South Park creators Trey Park and Matt Stone made massive headlines with a whopping $40 million investment to revamp Denver’s Casa Bonita restaurant, famous for its iconic appearance in the show’s Season 7, episode 11 ‘Casa Bonita.‘
However, the spotlight shifted when the creators implemented a controversial ‘No Tipping‘ policy, promising every employee a living wage of $30/hour.
Casa Bonita – No Tipping Policy Draws Backlash
Despite the promises of a lucrative business and national anticipation to explore the Colorado landmark, Casa Bonita workers are now voicing their concerns over the ‘No Tipping‘ policy.
Approximately 50 employees are pushing back against the decision and demanding a return to the traditional tipping system. Additionally, they seek clarity on scheduling hours, raising questions about the restaurant’s management and ownership.
In a letter addressed to the management, one employee expressed their disappointment, saying,
“There was a promise of lucrative business which would bring an incredible opportunity monetarily. We have yet to see any of this lucrative business – despite people nationwide waiting patiently to finally see the inside of this Colorado landmark. We want to see Casa Bonita thrive, and if ownership/management cannot bring that about, then we will.”
Bartenders have been significantly impacted by the ‘No Tipping’ policy, as they were originally slated to receive $14.27/hour in addition to tips. Understandably, they now wish to revert to the previous system, considering the potential earnings through tips in cash.
“I’d gladly take minimum wage, with tips, so that our kitchen can receive better pay, give them the $30 they deserve it. We also need to see more operating hours so that we can all be offered benefits, as originally promised to us. Park County (Casa Bonita’s ownership entity) needs to remember we (the hourly employees) are the ones who love this place and will take care of it with joyful enthusiasm. In return, we ask them to see our humanity and let us earn a competitive wage with benefits.”
One of the bartenders expressed their feelings of betrayal, stating.
“This is a bait-and-switch – we were excited about the possibility of reviving a Denver institution, but what began as a really fun adventure has turned into a real-life financial nightmare…”
Seeking Fair Compensation for the Staff
While the bartenders are concerned about their lost tip earnings, they also advocate for fair pay for the kitchen staff. They propose a system where they can earn minimum wage with tips to ensure better pay for their colleagues in the kitchen.
The Casa Bonita workers are not seeking to destroy the business; rather, they want to see it flourish. They urge the management to acknowledge their dedication and allow them to earn a competitive wage along with benefits, which were promised earlier.
The workers understand the challenges faced by the restaurant amid the policy changes and want to collaborate with the management to ensure a sustainable and mutually beneficial solution.
As the Casa Bonita workers continue to make their demands known, the situation highlights the complexities of implementing policy changes without considering the impact on the workforce. The South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, must now engage in constructive dialogue to find common ground and resolve the issue.
