You have every right to post that negative review. But before you do, just know a few things.
- That restaurant owner is likely in debt. Opening the restaurant costs a few hundred thousand dollars, and they likely took out a loan for that. When the loan is paid back, then it’s time to replace the equipment. The idea that restaurant owners are rolling in cash, even at a busy restaurant, is false. It takes years to reach real profitability.
- That 80,000 salary you make? For the small business owner, they have items to pay you get for free or greatly reduced. Health insurance they pay out of pocket, and at a higher rate than you as they have less bargaining power than your company. The taxes you pay out of your paycheck are also matched by your employer, that small business owner has to pay both. A small business owner may, but not always, have greater upside earning potential, but not for years. And for at least the first few years, they are barely breaking even operating with massive debt over them.
- Food costs skyrocket, but what you are charged doesn’t increase at the same rate. Restaurant owners know they can’t charge you double for your burger, even though the costs of that burger doubled. They eat the costs, at time barely breaking even.
- The kinks in a new restaurant can take a year to fix. It’s hard to fire someone, and its costly to fire, get stuck with unemployment, and hire someone new and train them. If the service wasn’t good, mention it to the owner, but please don’t post on social media if you can avoid it.
- State laws impact them constantly. The health department changes its mind daily on what you can and cannot do, and at times, it’s at the whim of the new kid they hired. The changes are costly, and stressful, often for no reason. Trust me on this.
- That minimum wage increase kills them. Not that they don’t want to pay their employees. But when the one making $13 has to go up to $15, the one that was making $15 then has to go up to $17 to keep the difference in pay. Otherwise, you have a ton of pissed off employees. That cost is rarely seen, at least in full, in what you pay.
- The owner worked 80 hours last week. At least.
- It feels good to write a bad review. It feels powerful. You got less than perfect food or service or whatever, and you’ll show them. But you are putting a major life investment at risk, as well as jobs of the workers, the suppliers, the food salesperson, the farmers. And their families.
Think twice. It’s not a game. It’s real people. Privately give your feedback to the owner. They will appreciate it. They want it. They will work on it.
And support small business. Even ones you don’t like. They keep the community running.