GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – With the New Year comes a raise for thousands of servers across the Empire State, including those who earn tips.
However, the future is always on the mind of a business owner, one of whom in Glens Falls doesn't like what it may hold, thanks to technology like tablets now seen in some restaurant booths that can take your order for you.
"This industry, I'm telling you, is going to do away with those jobs," said Davidson Brothers owner Rick Davidson. "They're very expensive, the customers are going to hit a point where they're not going to pay for them. Our goal has always been to employ."
With the minimum wage for tipped workers rising from $5 to $7.50 per hour, Davidson thinks that would force prices up at his Davidson Brothers restaurant.
So he's devised a new system for his customers: pay your bill total, plus an 18-percent surcharge, both subject to sales tax. No tips allowed.
"The average customer will still pay less under the new plan than the old plan, and the servers and bartenders should not be greatly negatively affected," Davidson said.
The 18 percent will act as business income, so it won't be going into the server's pockets. Instead, they'll earn commission for each sale. Much to the liking of Davidson Brothers' servers.
"This is my first restaurant that I've worked in, so I'm kind of used to a normal pay system anyway, so I don't think it's going to be that big of a change for us," said Davidson Brothers server Brandon Brierley.
But how do customers feel about this? Davidson Brothers regular Marty Devit is still on the fence, but he's got a sensible way of looking at it.
"It's actually less money for me because I always tip more than that. I'm just concerned that the staff gets treated fairly," Devit said.
Davidson says his customers should be fine with the new plan, his employees, too- whom he won't allow to be replaced by a tablet or an app.
"That's the way the industry is going, so to know I've got somebody there to help protect my job, that's really important to me," Brierley said.