A Quebec entrepreneur has launched an app designed to help hoteliers attract and retain employees by allowing employees to tip even when guests don’t have cash.
That solution is called Tip&Go, a simple QR code that hotel guests can use to tip if they don’t have cash with them. Instead of the conventional paper envelope, Tip&Go offers an electronic envelope with the employee’s name and a corresponding QR code on it.
Francis Léonard, the company’s President and Chief Executive, says that tipping via the QR code could increase employee compensation by up to 30%.
Photo courtesy of Francis Leonard
Francis Léonard, President and CEO of Tip&Go
“Maids, janitors, and valets have all tipped in the past. Statistics say they were making between $150 and $250 a week before the pandemic [à l’époque où les gens avaient plus d’argent comptant sur eux]. Now only about 10% of people carry cash, so now they’re making between $15 and $25 a week,” explains Mr. Léonard.
According to the Tip&Go CEO, around 80% of employees leave the hospitality industry for economic reasons.
“This is the highest rate of any job in Canada,” continues Mr. Léonard.
He believes the QR code could boost workforce recruitment and retention primarily for the salary attraction. And receiving better tips encourages employees to maintain high standards at their jobs.
Staff have access to a secure dashboard where they can see their earnings, and hotel managers can view a dashboard of reviews, ratings, and tip stats. All without management and transaction fees for the hotelier.
“It is the hotel staff who have to pay a part of the transaction,” the entrepreneur specifies.
Tip&Go is already used in some establishments, but Mr. Léonard prefers not to name them for the moment.
He adds that Tip&Go will be used in the establishments of several hotel chains. Corresponding announcements are expected shortly.
This type of service is offered in several other countries. Other companies such as Teknotip also offer tips via QR code. The latter is present in some establishments in Quebec, including Le Concorde.
Do you have any information about this story that you would like to share with us?
Do you have a scoop that might be of interest to our readers?
Write to us or call us directly at 1-800-63SCOOP.