Waitress Receives $4,400 Tip with Co-worker and Is Later Fired by the Restaurant Owner

What began as a happy moment for former waitress Ryan Brandt quickly turned out to be a painful experience after she was fired, shortly after she received a four-figure amount tip.

An Arkansas waitress, identified as Ryan Brandt, had her life transformed after receiving a generous tip of $4,400.

However, reports revealed that her life-changing experience was short-lived, as she was fired from the restaurant for refusal to share the money.

The generous gratuity was awarded on December 6, 2021, when Brandt and her colleague worked a party of more than forty at Oven and Tap in Bentonville.

Each diner chipped in at least $100 in tip money, believing the total amount would go to both servers.

During an interview, the president and founder of Witly, Grant Wise, mentioned that during the COVID-19 period, servers were hit hard, and his company had to come up with a way to give back. The generous man also added:

"To be able to stand right there, next to her and let her know what people, that she had no clue who they were, from out of the country had done, it was an amazing, amazing feeling."

Wise had thought of something special to do for someone during the holiday season, and his company decided to host a conference for realtors in Northwest Arkansas. So, the group went to the restaurant to eat and make someone's day.

A netizen's comment on the viral Youtube video | Photo: youtube.com/5NEWS

Realtor Rebeca Soto said Wise wanted to put all their efforts together to bless someone in the community. Eventually, Brandt and her colleague turned out to be the lucky duo.

Instead, the waitress was fired from the restaurant the following day.

But things did not turn out well after the kind gesture. The restaurant's manager insisted that Brandt pool the tip with her colleagues, who did not serve at the large party.

A netizen's comment on the viral Youtube video | Photo: youtube.com/5NEWS

According to the waitress, the manager told her to hand over the cash and return home with only twenty percent.

The information reached Wise, and he phoned the restaurant, demanding that Brandt's tip of $2,200 be returned to her in full, but they refused. Instead, the waitress was fired from the restaurant the following day. Brandt told 5NEWS:

"They fired me from Oven and Tap over the phone, and I've been there for three and a half years, and that was heartbreaking, especially when I didn't think I did anything wrong."

A netizen's comment on the viral Youtube video | Photo: youtube.com/5NEWS

After Brandt was fired, the restaurant released a statement noting that the waitress was fired for reasons unrelated to the tipping incident. The Information further read:

"Out of respect for our valued team members, we do not discuss the details surrounding the termination of an employee."

In response to the restaurant's statement, Wise started a GoFundMe page for Brandt, which raised over $8,700. The former waitress said she was grateful, as the money was essential in paying her student loans.

A netizen's comment on the viral Youtube video | Photo: youtube.com/5NEWS

Although Brandt is not working with the restaurant anymore, she has people who love her and would support her in any way possible.

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