5-Star Reviews Or Be Fired: NJ Restaurant Addresses Strict Policy

EDISON, NJ — After receiving backlash for asking servers to get five positive google reviews a month or lose their jobs, the management of the Edison-based restaurant said they had "no clue" about it until the photo went viral on the internet.

A photo of a bulletin board from Tio Taco + Tequila Bar in Edison was posted on Reddit. According to the bulletin, beginning February all service staff employed at the Edison location will have to get a minimum of five google reviews per month to keep their jobs. Read More: 5 Star Review Policy By Edison Restaurant Comes Under Fire

Andrea Bonfiglio, chief marketing officer at Triple H Hospitality Group which owns the restaurant said the general manager at the Edison restaurant took it upon himself to write up the policy and post it on the bulletin board. "We would never institute a policy like that. Corporate had no clue about it," Bonfiglio said.

Another employee then took a picture of the bulletin board and posted it on Reddit, which generated thousands of comments and negative reviews for the company. Bonfiglio said the policy was removed immediately after the management got to know about it. "We are a little disappointed that it went the internet route. We have an open-door policy here at Triple H Hospitality and anyone can walk in talk to us," Bonfiglio said.

The general manager and assistant general manager have been fired. "We are angered that he would take it upon himself to institute a policy like this. He was apologetic, but the damage was done," Bonfiglio said.

Apart from receiving various negative google reviews, Bonfiglio said her email was spammed with death threats from cyber mobs. "I had people emailing from England, Pakistan, China - threatening me and my family," she said.

In the midst of a global labor shortage, Triple H Hospitality restaurants are always full and when something like this happens, it's disheartening, Bonfiglio said.

"We have 1,100 employees and one bad egg can wreak such havoc," Bonfiglio said. "We are going to work harder now to ensure our employees know about the open-door policy and that they feel comfortable walking through the door anytime."

Tio Taco + Tequila Bar has locations in Edison, Marlboro, and Clifton. Triple H Hospitality Group's other venture, Tommy's Tavern and Tap has locations in Princeton, Morris Plains, Bridgewater, Freehold, Sea Bright, Clifton, and Staten Island.

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