But who would’ve thought leaving a big tip could cost someone their job?
This unexpected scenario played out in 2021 at Oven & Tap, a restaurant in Arkansas.
After a long night of serving a large party of more than 40 business professionals, Ryan Brandt, a server, received an incredibly generous tip.
Soto shared the video on Instagram, adding a heartfelt caption: “I’m humbled to have been part of something so beautiful and generous. To bless someone else without previously knowing them.”
She added: “I have been blessed, so it is wonderful to pay it forward and bless someone else.”
The video also featured businessman Grant Wise, who handed over the generous tip to Brandt.
He explained: “Everybody at this table has contributed or tipped $100 for you, and for the other waitress, who unfortunately had to go home because she wasn’t feeling well,”
Overwhelmed by the act of kindness, Brandt thanked the group repeatedly, clearly moved to tears.
Unfortunately, her joy didn’t last, as Brandt was let go from her job shortly after the event.
She mentioned to the outlet that she’d worked at Oven & Tap for over three years and had never been asked to share her tips before.
Upon learning of the situation, Wise reportedly requested the money back, according to Distractify.
However, Brandt claimed that as soon as she returned to the restaurant, she was informed of her termination, supposedly because she had taken the money, though Oven & Tap disputed this account.
She expressed to the news station: “It was devastating.”
KNWA reported that Oven & Tap’s owners, Mollie Mullis and Luke Wetzel, responded in a statement: “We commend the organization that dined with us and generously gave to our staff. They have an absolute right to tip whoever they want, and we honored that request.”
“Oven & Tap doesn’t deliver terminations lightly. Because we value our employees and highly respect their privacy, we never discuss personnel issues. The server who was terminated several days after the group dined with us was not let go because she chose to keep the tip money. The other two servers who received generous tips that evening from the Witly organization – including one who also received $2,200 – are still members of our team.”
