Burgerville is changing the way we do business to become more and more resilient in navigating new territory. We have made tough decisions in order to prevail. Our employees are the vital connection between guests, farmers and ranchers, and the Northwest region we love. Without them, we cannot make the Pacific Northwest the healthiest region on the planet.
As we identified areas that were getting in the way of our employees being able to thrive, we were targeted by an international cyber-attack that resulted in significant and unplanned expenditures for the company. Once we put a strong, protective security system in place, our focus became the matter of increasing wages. Our first steps were to launch tips and holiday pay, with the promise we would come back with more.
Today we announced new wage increases for all restaurant crew, both hourly and managers. These increases will become effective in December. Hourly crew workers will earn a base pay of $13.50 per hour. Wage increases will step up from there, keeping ahead of the state-scheduled increases in minimum wage in Oregon and Washington. Depending on the location, workers earn an average of $0.75-$1.50/hour in tips on top of their base pay. At the Portland Airport location, base pay plus tips total up to $20/hour.
Other employee benefits Burgerville proudly offers include affordable health insurance*, life insurance, an annual scholarship program, and financial resources for any employee in need through Oregon’s nonprofit Save First. As a package, total compensation for restaurant workers rises even more.
It has been a year full of firsts for Burgerville, from launching tips and holiday pay for workers to introducing Coconut Bliss, everyday local shakes, and the No. 6 grass fed, grass finished burger. As we celebrate fall with the launch of a new everyday shake menu using all-local ingredients, keep the No. 6 rolling out to new restaurants, and serve tried-and-true favorites like seasonal pumpkin milkshakes and the Smokey Blue Burger, we will continue to listen to our employees, have two way conversations, and rebuild trust.
It’s part of changing the way we do business, and investing in our people, and communities, one bite at a time.
*FACT: Burgerville has invested in affordable health insurance for employees since 2005! #burgerswithbenefits