Comedy Central
South Park creators Trey Park and Matt Stone received a lot of attention when they poured somewhere in the realm of $40 million into revamping the Denver-area Casa Bonita restaurant.
The restaurant was at the center of one of South Park‘s most iconic episodes. Season 7, episode 11 ‘Casa Bonita’ is one of the purest examples of Eric Cartman revealing himself as a complete and utter sociopath.
When it was revealed earlier this Summer the South Park creators had poured over $40 million into revamping the restaurant it made global headlines.
They followed that up by announcing a controversial ‘No Tipping’ policy. According to the policy, every single employee would be paid at least $30/hour, a living wage.
Now, according to a report from the Denver Post, upwards of 50 Casa Bonita workers are pushing back against the No Topping policy and bartenders want to revert back to tips. They are also asking for clarity on scheduling hours.
Casa Bonita Workers Push Back Against South Park Owner’s No Tipping Policy
The employee letter from #WeAreTeamCasa was drafted by Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United. It reads:
“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.”
In the letter, one employee goes on to state “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 add “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…”
Initially bartenders were going to be paid $14.27/hour + tips. They want that back. And given how much money bartenders can make from tips, in cash, it’s not hard to see why they might want to revert to a lower tax bracket in hourly wages…