A 20% service charge is included on each guest check. L'Experience Paris retains 100% of the service charge. Additional gratuities are appreciated, but never expected — and go entirely to the tip pool of the team.
What is a service charge?
A service charge is a set percentage added to every guest check. It replaces the traditional tip model with a structured, predictable compensation system — creating fair, stable income for our entire team regardless of table size or night of the week.
Who receives the service charge?
In compliance with Washington State law (RCW 49.46.160), we are required to disclose exactly how the charge is used. L'Experience Paris retains 100% of the service charge as part of our general operating funds. It funds the base pay of our entire team: the bakers and cooks in our central kitchen who start before dawn, the drivers who deliver to each café every morning, and the staff who greet and serve you at the counter.
Everyone who contributes to what you eat earns a stable, predictable wage — regardless of the weather, the day of the week, or how busy the café is.
Why not simply fold it into menu prices?
A fair question. The honest answer is that in the US, most guests and most staff would still expect a tip on top of higher menu prices. We would end up with higher prices and the same broken tipping system — which defeats the purpose. A visible service charge is transparent, honest, and changes the dynamic entirely.
What does your team earn?
Our team earns competitive base hourly wages, on top of existing monthly sales incentives and Google review rewards:
Front of house
| Junior Barista | $22.00 / hr |
| Barista | $24.00 / hr |
| Lead | $28.00 / hr |
| Assistant Store Manager | $34.00 / hr |
Kitchen
| Line Cook | $22.00 / hr |
| Senior Line Cook | $25.00 / hr |
Monthly sales incentives, paid on performance against location targets.
Google review rewards, paid monthly when the team hits its review targets.
Why is sales tax calculated on the service charge?
Under Washington State law, employers are required to collect retail sales tax on service charges. This is a legal requirement, not a policy choice.
Can I still leave a tip?
Yes. Additional gratuities are warmly accepted and go directly to the tip pool of the team. Under this model, however, they are entirely optional — never expected. We deliberately removed the preset 20% or 25% prompts from our payment screen and kept only an optional round-up for guests who want to give a little extra.
In compliance with Washington State law RCW 49.46.160 — the charge is 100% retained by the restaurant and used to fund team base compensation.
Questions? info@lexperienceparis.com