Restaurant Payroll Without the Headaches
Tip credit calculations, FICA reporting, shift scheduling, and onboarding that keeps up with 80% turnover. Your payroll provider should understand restaurants — not just process direct deposits.
Payroll That Understands Tips, Turnover, and Tight Margins
Restaurant payroll isn't like other payroll. Between tip credits, split shifts, and kitchen staff changing every month, you need a system designed for how hospitality actually operates.
Tip Credit Calculations
Automatic federal and state tip credit calculations with shortfall alerts. Never worry about FLSA compliance — the system ensures every tipped employee earns at least minimum wage.
FICA Tip Reporting
Automated Section 45B FICA tip credit calculations that can reduce your tax liability. Employee-reported and allocated tips tracked and reported correctly every pay period.
Shift Scheduling
Build schedules, manage shift swaps, and get overtime alerts before they become overtime costs. Your team can check schedules and request changes from their phone.
Fast-Track Onboarding
New hires complete W-4, I-9, tip reporting agreements, and food safety acknowledgments from their phone — before their first shift. Built for 80% annual turnover.
Overtime Management
Real-time alerts before overtime hits payroll. Track hours across multiple locations and roles so you can adjust staffing before the labor cost spike.
Labor Cost Reporting
Real-time dashboards show labor as a percentage of revenue by location, shift, and role. Know your numbers before end-of-month surprises.
Tip Compliance That Runs on Autopilot
Tip credit laws vary by state. In Georgia, the tip credit allows a direct wage of $2.13/hour. In Florida, it's $8.98. The system tracks tip credits by state, calculates shortfalls, and automatically makes up the difference — so you're compliant without spreadsheets or guesswork.
- Federal and state tip credit calculations by location
- Automatic shortfall alerts when tips don't cover minimum wage
- Employee-reported and allocated tip tracking
- Section 45B FICA tip credit for tax savings
- Tip pooling and sharing rules enforcement
Scheduling + Payroll in One System
When scheduling lives in one app and payroll in another, mistakes happen. Our integrated system means approved shifts flow directly into payroll — no re-entry, no missed hours, no disputes. Your managers build schedules, employees swap shifts, and everyone gets paid correctly.
- Drag-and-drop shift scheduling by role and location
- One-tap shift swap requests with manager approval
- Overtime alerts before the extra hours hit payroll
- Split shift tracking for tipped vs. non-tipped work
- Availability and time-off integrated into schedules
Why Restaurants Choose BlueWave Over Generic Payroll
ADP and Paychex process paychecks. We understand why your server's paycheck looks different every week — and handle the compliance behind it.
Real Tip Compliance
Tip credits, FICA reporting, and tip pooling built into the core platform
Phone-First Onboarding
New hires complete everything on their phone before day one
Local Service Team
Real people who understand restaurants — not a call center
Scheduling + Payroll
One system — approved shifts flow directly into pay
From Quick Service to Fine Dining
Whether you're running a food truck, a neighborhood bar, or a multi-location restaurant group — our platform scales with your operations.
Full-Service Restaurants
Bars & Breweries
Coffee Shops & Cafes
Hotels & Resorts
Catering & Events
Food Trucks
Restaurant Payroll FAQ
Ready to Simplify Restaurant Payroll?
See how BlueWave HR handles tip compliance, scheduling, and high-turnover onboarding for restaurants like yours. Free consultation — no pressure.