Zizzi to split service charge equally between waiting and kitchen staff
Italian chain Zizzi has cut the amount of tips paid to waiting staff and restricted lunch choices days after the introduction of the National Living Wage.
The group will split service charge 50/50 between front of house staff and kitchen teams, where previously it was 70/30 in favour of waiters. Meanwhile, choices for free meals have been limited to margherita pizza or a pasta with tomato sauce.
The changes came after the introduction of the National Living Wage at the beginning of the month, though Zizzi told The Guardian that the changes were not related.
In a statement it said: "Zizzi has supported the introduction of the national living wage from the outset, underpinned by its belief that its employees are an essential part of its business who should be rewarded fairly.
"As a result, Zizzi went beyond the Government's requirements on 4 April by awarding additional pay rises to many of those who were already above the living wage, including chefs and managers."
Zizzi currently pays 100% of tips directly to restaurant teams, distributed by its tronc system.
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