Waffle House Workers Protest Mandatory Meal Deductions On Their Paychecks • Hollywood Unlocked

Waffle House employees are setting up picket lines and creating a petition after being fed up with a mandatory meal deduction charge that has affected their pay.

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So far, 13,000 employees have signed a petition protesting the $39 deduction on their paycheck as there is no option to have it removed. According to the New York Post, Waffle House employees are also asking for higher wages and more vital safety protocols due to the number of physical altercations with customers that have increased throughout the years.

Some of the employees said that the meal deduction charge is implemented even if they don’t eat the food from the restaurant along with not being able to take a meal break at all. The meal deductions have also increased said Cindy Smith, a Georgia-based employee. “The meal deductions have always been taken out, but it was only, like, $1.50 per shift. Then they decided to start bumping it up. Every day that you work now, it is $3.75 that comes out of your check. That’s more than I make an hour,” she explained.

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The protests took place outside of Waffle House headquarters in Atlanta and Smith added that the bosses have reportedly dismissed employee concerns.

“We all stood out there. We were very quiet. We were not rude. We were not disrespectful. We only sent three people in to deliver 13,000 signed petitions for them to tell us if we did not get off the property, they were going to call the police, and they threw all 13,000 petitions in the trash.” 

Waffle House is a 24-hour diner chain with a cult-like following. Founded in 1955 by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner, Waffle House is known for its affordable, greasy food, friendly service, and around-the-clock availability. The chain has over 2,100 locations in 25 states, making it one of the largest diner chains in the United States.

Waffle House’s menu is centered around waffles, with a variety of toppings and syrups available. The chain also serves a variety of other breakfast items, such as bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, and grits. In addition to breakfast, Waffle House also serves lunch and dinner items, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Waffle House is known for its friendly service. The chain’s employees, known as “Wafforders,” are often praised for their hospitality and willingness to go the extra mile for customers.