Cheesecake Factory, we need help.
The Issue
I am a server at North Italia, formerly a Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all restaurants in Arizona were forced to shut down, or limit production to to-go orders. Almost every single employee, apart from managers, has been laid off during this pandemic. The result is an unfathomable amount of stress for each and every one of us that contributes to the growing restaurant industry here.
Everyday, my team and I come to work and put our best foot forward to make sure that guests that dine with us are given the best experience. As much as we pride ourselves off of our individual performance, at the end of the day, we are mere employees of a large company.
In 2018, The Cheesecake Factory marked its 40 year anniversary with a number of achievements. It opened its 200th restaurant, served over 100 million guests, and was recognized in FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, for the sixth consecutive year, as well as FORTUNE’s Best Workplaces for Women, Best Workplaces for Diversity and Best Workplaces for Millennials. Not only that, but the Cheesecake Factory has brought in 2 billion, 332 million dollars in revenue just this past year.
With a heavy heart, we have come to see that there is ultimately no financial support or relief for us in a time of great need. After reviewing The Cheesecake Factory’s Annual Reports, I cannot help but wonder why. If you’d like to view it yourself, the link is https://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/financials/annual-reports/default.aspx.
The Annual Report says, “This recognition is meaningful, not just because of the accolades, but as an acknowledgement of the resources and time that we invest in engagement, development and benefits for our staff members and managers. We couldn’t do what we do without them”.
I speak for many others when I ask for help. At this time, the corona virus has weakened us.
The average cost of living for a single adult, without rent, in Arizona, is $884. The average cost of rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,000. Most servers at North Italia work 15-35 hours a week at a wage of 8$ an hour plus tips. This is a paycheck, not subtracting taxes of $240-$560 every TWO weeks. We ask that you consider these numbers and understand that without our guests tipping us, our former income does not even supplement the bare necessities. Our income is now 0.
We need compensation at a minimum of $20/hr for the average number of hours worked per week to sustain life.
Sign this petition to show your solidarity and support for Cheesecake Factory's employees and to send a clear message to David Overton, CEO, and David Gordon, president, that employees deserve paid leave and that we should not have to fall onto unemployment during a national crisis.
We couldn't do it without YOU.
Petition Closed
The Issue
I am a server at North Italia, formerly a Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurant. On Tuesday, March 17, 2020, all restaurants in Arizona were forced to shut down, or limit production to to-go orders. Almost every single employee, apart from managers, has been laid off during this pandemic. The result is an unfathomable amount of stress for each and every one of us that contributes to the growing restaurant industry here.
Everyday, my team and I come to work and put our best foot forward to make sure that guests that dine with us are given the best experience. As much as we pride ourselves off of our individual performance, at the end of the day, we are mere employees of a large company.
In 2018, The Cheesecake Factory marked its 40 year anniversary with a number of achievements. It opened its 200th restaurant, served over 100 million guests, and was recognized in FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, for the sixth consecutive year, as well as FORTUNE’s Best Workplaces for Women, Best Workplaces for Diversity and Best Workplaces for Millennials. Not only that, but the Cheesecake Factory has brought in 2 billion, 332 million dollars in revenue just this past year.
With a heavy heart, we have come to see that there is ultimately no financial support or relief for us in a time of great need. After reviewing The Cheesecake Factory’s Annual Reports, I cannot help but wonder why. If you’d like to view it yourself, the link is https://investors.thecheesecakefactory.com/financials/annual-reports/default.aspx.
The Annual Report says, “This recognition is meaningful, not just because of the accolades, but as an acknowledgement of the resources and time that we invest in engagement, development and benefits for our staff members and managers. We couldn’t do what we do without them”.
I speak for many others when I ask for help. At this time, the corona virus has weakened us.
The average cost of living for a single adult, without rent, in Arizona, is $884. The average cost of rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Phoenix, Arizona is $1,000. Most servers at North Italia work 15-35 hours a week at a wage of 8$ an hour plus tips. This is a paycheck, not subtracting taxes of $240-$560 every TWO weeks. We ask that you consider these numbers and understand that without our guests tipping us, our former income does not even supplement the bare necessities. Our income is now 0.
We need compensation at a minimum of $20/hr for the average number of hours worked per week to sustain life.
Sign this petition to show your solidarity and support for Cheesecake Factory's employees and to send a clear message to David Overton, CEO, and David Gordon, president, that employees deserve paid leave and that we should not have to fall onto unemployment during a national crisis.
We couldn't do it without YOU.
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Petition created on March 19, 2020