Chances are you’ve probably been at a restaurant or in a store and had employees mention to you that they would be appreciative if you could leave a review for their services on any given review site. And while it might be slightly off-putting, it makes sense — better reviews equals a higher chance more customers will come in which generates more money for the business.
… One chain of restaurants in New Jersey is taking heat for allegedly forcing employees to earn a minimum number of five-star Google reviews in order to keep their employment after photos of the policy typed out made its way around social media.
… Triple T Hospitality Group is under fire after an absurd policy posted at Tio’s Taco location in Edison, New Jersey, was leaked which told employees that they would face termination if they didn’t receive a certain amount of five-star reviews. The typed notice read: “Every service employee for FOH is required to get a minimum of 5 Google reviews per month to remain employed at the Edison location starting February 2022. The review must include your first name and five stars in order to count. We will have monthly Google review contests each month to promote health[y] competition. You must have a minimum of 15 reviews to qualify for the prizes. 1st place winner gets first pick out of five potential prizes and 2nd place gets to choose from the left-over prizes.”
… Prizes included two free meals (for $22 or less), an extra day off, gift cards and merch items.
… Chief Marketing Officer of Triple T, Andrea Bonfiglio, told New Jersey media that the notice in the Edison location was posted by a general manager and that the policy had not been approved by corporate
UPDATE: A restaurant group that found itself at the center of an angry Reddit-fueled storm says it has fired two managers over a policy that required workers to solicit positive online reviews.
Andrea Bonfiglio, whose family owns the Tio Taco + Tequila Bar in Edison, said they found out about the policy after she was bombarded with online review notifications by angry people from all over the world.
"We had no idea it was even up," Bonfiglio told New Jersey 101.5, calling the manager's request of the employees "insane" and "disgusting." The manager and assistant general manager were both terminated after acknowledging their role in posting the request on the bulletin board, she said.