Tipping is a big part of restaurant culture in the U.S., but opinions on it can differ. For many, tipping is seen as a way to support servers who rely heavily on tips to make a living. While some believe employers should pay fair wages instead, the reality is that tips often make up a large part of a server’s income.
Most servers work hard to ensure their customers are happy, and they deserve the extra money they earn. But in a surprising incident, one waitress, Ryan Brandt, lost her job after receiving a $4,400 tip at Oven & Tap, a restaurant in Arkansas.
In 2021, a group of business executives dining at Oven & Tap decided to give a huge tip to Ryan and another waitress who had to leave early. Grant Wise, the host of the group, explained that each person at the table contributed $100, and additional money was collected through social media, bringing the total to $4,400.
In a video shared on Instagram by Rebecca Soto, one of the diners, Ryan is seen crying tears of joy as she accepts the tip. Soto captioned the video, calling it a beautiful and generous moment to help someone unexpectedly.
But things took a turn when Ryan was told by her employer that she had to hand over the money to her shift manager, keeping only 20% for herself. Ryan, who had worked at the restaurant for over three years, said this had never happened before.
When Wise learned about the situation, he asked for the money back and gave it directly to Ryan outside the restaurant. However, when Ryan returned to work, she was fired for accepting the tip.
Feeling devastated, Ryan explained that she was already dealing with student loans and other financial stress. Meanwhile, Wise and others started a GoFundMe campaign for her, raising $8,700 in just a few days.
Oven & Tap later issued a statement claiming they had honored the group’s request to give the gratuity to the servers. However, they did not share details about why Ryan was let go, leaving many questioning the situation.
