Atlas Restaurant Group raises minimum wage to $15 an hour

As the Fight for $15 wages on in the federal government, Atlas Restaurant Group — parent to 21 concepts across Washington D.C., Maryland, Texas and Florida — announced on Thursday it would be increasing minimum wage at the concepts from $12 an hour to $15 an hour.

According to the company, this move will impact around 30% of its 1,200 employees in three states. Atlas’ tipped employees — who will remain tipped — will be guaranteed $15 an hour minimum with tips every night.

“We are making these changes because higher wages will improve the standard of living for our hardworking team members,” said Atlas Restaurant Group founder and CEO Alex Smith in a statement. “We recognize the hardships that employees of the restaurant and hospitality industries have experienced as a result of the pandemic. With this in mind, we are working hard to implement solutions to offer our Atlas team members more financial stability and a greater sense of security for themselves and their families. Bottom line, it is the right thing to do.”

The current minimum wage in Atlas’ states is $11.75 in Maryland, $7.25 in Texas, and $10.00 in Florida. The minimum wage in Washington D.C. is already $15 an hour.

Atlas joins fast-casual HipCityVeg and big chains like Chipotle, which recently made headlines for announcing it would be paying employees an average of $15 an hour minimum wage across its stores.

Atlas Restaurant Group is also offering a $250 bonus to all new employees who remain with the company for more than 90 days.

Additionally, Atlas Restaurant Group is offering to pay for 50% of the following benefits: medical, dental and vision insurance; teladoc; short-term disability insurance; critical accident and illness insurance; and pet insurance. The company covers at 100% a mental health benefit for all employees and household members, as well as life insurance in the amount of $50,000 for all employees. 

Atlas Restaurant Group owns The Elk Room, Tagliata, The Lollipop, Watershed, The Admiral’s Cup, Loch Bar, Harbor East, Ouzo Beach, Atlas Fish Market, Perennial, Cunningham’s Café & Bakery, Monarque, Atlas Farms, Maximón, The Choptank, Bygone, Italian Disco, Ouzo Bay and Azumi.