Profitable Eateries: 50 Highest Grossing Restaurants in the US

[buzglyd]

Thus why it seems Guy's American Kitchen & Bar is on the list but now closed. Made lots of money, but didn't seem to be profitable.

This article just shows how ignorant the media is about EVERYTHING. The headline says profitability but the article is about reported gross sales. I’m certain the USA Today editors don’t know the difference.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

We have been to two of these.

We had an amazing meal at Smith and Wolenski in New York. Expensive but outstanding food and service.

Unfortunately we had a massive disappointment at Carnevino in Las Vegas. We were seated then it felt like we were forgotten by the staff as other couples had their orders taken etc. Once they finally took our order, they were so slow with the wine that our entrees were served before the bottle of wine arrived. I assume they were having an off night, but i am certainly never going back.

 

[Glynda]

Smith & Wolenski in New York was an amazing experience for us too. I drool tho king of that crab cocktail!

 

[Pompey Family]

Are they paying their staff a decent wage or still expecting the customer to do that?

 

[Conan]

Are they paying their staff a decent wage or still expecting the customer to do that?

With very few exceptions, and in most U.S. states, a restaurant can and does pay wait staff much less than the prevailing minimum wage.

Absent a more generous state law, the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour allows a tip credit of $5.12, meaning restaurant wait staff are only entitled to wages at $2.13/hour. We Americans routinely tip 15% to 20% on the restaurant check without regard to how good or mediocre the service was.

Here are the corresponding minimums, state-by-state.
https://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm

[Unlike European-style VAT taxes that are built in to the menu price, in most states we also pay state sales tax as an add-on. The food exemptions on the table below apply to grocery shopping, not served meals.]
https://www.taxadmin.org/assets/docs/Research/Rates/sales.pdf