Ohio Pizzeria Workers Get $78 An Hour In Surprise Profit Sharing

FINDLAY, OH — Josh Elchert, owner of the Heavenly Pizza shop, was hoping to see his staff go home with at least $40 an hour of pay when he set July 5 as "Employee Appreciation Day," during which all money coming in to the store including profits would go directly to employees.

When the shop closed for the day, that amount nearly doubled. Elchert told Fox the $7,500 brought in from customers the day after the 4th of July holiday meant every pizza shop employee made $78 an hour for their work that day.

"We've definitely been short-staffed, but have always had our employees to operate at a sustainable level," Elchert said in a Facebook Live video promoting the pizza place's employee appreciation gesture.

"We've been extremely fortunate," he added, noting Heavenly Pizza has not had to pull back on any services despite struggling with staffing issues as have countless other restaurants across America 16 months into the coronavirus pandemic.

As the day started, a typical Monday would include about 90 orders, Elchert said on Facebook — but that 200 "would be fantastic" to help the employees.

By closing time, Heavenly Pizza totaled 220 orders, bringing in $6,300 in sales and $1,200 in tips.

The employees' "dedication and loyalty to us is greatly appreciated," Elchert said.