Dear Guests,

Since the passing of Initiative 82 (I-82), DC restaurants have watched labor costs rise rapidly. This, coupled with higher food costs and supplies, has put considerable financial strain on small, independently owned DC restaurants. Some restaurants started implementing service fees following the passage of I-82, and many more have done so over the last two years. We have reached the point where we must do the same.

With the rollout of our spring menus, we implemented a 5% Service Fee on all guest checks (please note: DC requires sales taxes on all service fees). The entirety of this fee will be retained by the restaurant to help offset the aforementioned costs. This is not a tip - tips go directly to staff, in addition to the Tipped Minimum Wage we pay them.

Not to be confused with Minimum Wage, the Tipped Minimum Wage (TMW) refers to the base hourly wage paid by restaurants to those employees who receive a substantial portion of their compensation from tips. All employees must earn (at least) Minimum Wage, and in rare instances where tips + TMW fall below Minimum Wage, employers are required by law to make up the difference. I-82 has dramatically increased the TMW that restaurants pay their tipped employees, and by 2027 the TMW will be completely eliminated in DC.

The TMW has been essential to the viability of small independently owned restaurants. Its use has benefited our guests by allowing us to keep our menu prices competitive with the national chains, and it’s afforded us the ability to provide jobs to entry-level workers.

Many people got their start as Servers, Bussers or on the counter because restaurants could afford to hire and train inexperienced and/or unskilled workers. Those who choose Serving as a career do so because they love it and because their tips + TMW are substantially higher than the Minimum Wage, which is why many career Servers and Bartenders opposed I-82.

It’s still too early to know what impact the elimination of the TWM will have on independently owned restaurants, our staffing and hiring criteria, or on the overall DC restaurant scene. DC locals have already experienced I-82’s impact in the form of increased prices and the widespread use of service fees; both of which are certain to increase should I-82 remain in place.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support!

Constantine Stavropoulos
Owner
The Tryst Trading Co. Restaurant Group