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Keeping teams happy while fixing payroll nightmares in hospitality

TiPJAR

Payroll changes in hospitality can be a minefield.

On one hand, businesses need to streamline operations and plan finances better. On the other, the people making those businesses tick—the staff—rely on regular access to their earnings, especially in an industry where tips play a huge role. Change it up too fast, and you risk upsetting the very people keeping customers happy.

So, how do you fix payroll inefficiencies without throwing your team into chaos?

The Alchemist's payroll dilemma

With over 20 sites across the UK, The Alchemist is known for its creative cocktails and unforgettable dining experiences. But behind the scenes, they faced a big challenge: shifting from weekly to monthly payroll.

The finance team needed the change, but there was a major concern, how would staff react? Weekly pay can be a lifeline for many hospitality workers, and suddenly making them wait longer for their earnings could easily cause frustration and even higher staff turnover.

Rather than risking morale, The Alchemist looked for a way to keep their team happy while making payroll work better for the business.

Enter TiPJAR, a digital tipping and tronc platform that keeps tip distribution smooth, fair, and transparent. By bringing in TiPJAR, The Alchemist was able to:

  • Keep weekly tip payouts – Even though salaries moved to monthly, staff could still access their tips every week, helping them stay financially secure.
  • Make tip distribution crystal clear – With real-time insights into how tips were split, there was no second-guessing or confusion among the team.
  • Cut down on admin hassle – Automating tip payouts freed up time for managers to focus on running the business instead of fiddling with spreadsheets.

The results? A payroll transition without the drama

Instead of a bumpy transition, The Alchemist made the payroll shift without staff uproar.

Hannah Plumb, People Development Manager at The Alchemist, summed it up best:

"I will love Jack and the TiPJAR team forever! They did anything I asked for and they worked extra hours; it was really fantastic. We wouldn’t have moved to monthly payroll without TiPJAR."

Lessons for hospitality leaders

The Alchemist’s experience is one that many in the hospitality industry can relate to. Their story proves a few key things:

  • Payroll changes don’t have to mean panic – If you give staff a way to maintain financial stability, they’re far more likely to embrace changes.
  • Transparency is everything – When people can see exactly where their money is coming from, trust grows.
  • Tech can make your life easier – The right tools can take the headache out of tipping and payroll, leaving more time to focus on the team and the guest experience.

As hospitality businesses navigate economic pressures and evolving workforce expectations, the right approach to payroll and tipping can make all the difference. TiPJAR is helping businesses like The Alchemist strike that balance—modernising operations without losing the heart of what makes hospitality great: its people.

Want to learn more?

Find out how TiPJAR can help you take the stress out of tipping and payroll. Check out the full story here or get in touch to see it in action.