The ‘$100 Club’: A Generous Gesture Met with Controversy
Meet Grant Wise and the ‘$100 Club’
Grant Wise, a renowned real estate businessman, became a beacon of kindness amidst the pandemic. He conceived an initiative called the ‘$100 club’, where he and his friends would generously tip $100 to servers at restaurants. The aim was simple: to spread joy and show appreciation for their service in challenging times.
Recently, Wise, along with a group of fellow businessmen, decided to dine at the Oven & Tap, a restaurant located in Bentonville, north-west Arkansas. Being a stickler for propriety, Wise called the restaurant in advance to understand their tipping policy and was informed that the servers retained their tips in full.
The Generous Tip that Sparked Controversy
Upon dining at the restaurant, Wise and his companions left an astounding $4,400 tip for their waitress, Ryan Brandt. They asked her to share it with a colleague who had to leave early due to ill health. The magnitude of this generous act left Brandt speechless, hardly able to believe the thick wad of cash handed to her by Wise.
Rebecca Soto, a companion of Wise, captured this heartwarming moment and shared it on Instagram.
Her caption beautifully encapsulated the essence of the gesture: “I’m humbled to have been part of something so beautiful and generous. To bless someone else without previously knowing them… God bless all who contributed and the servers who received it. I pray it may be multiplied and impact their life for the better.”
In the video, Wise explained to Brandt, “Everybody at this table has contributed or tipped $100 for you, and for the other waitress, who unfortunately had to go home because she wasn’t feeling well.”
An Unexpected Turn of Events
Unfortunately, Brandt’s elation was short-lived. Her manager demanded the money, allowing her to retain only 20% of the generous tip. Upon hearing about this, Wise intervened and returned the money directly to Brandt outside the restaurant premises.
Soon after this event, Brandt was terminated from her employment at Oven & Tap. As reported by KNWA, the restaurant accused Brandt of breaching company policy by disclosing information to Wise about sharing the tip with her coworkers.
A Community Rallies for Support
Upon learning of Brandt’s termination, Wise and his group started a GoFundMe campaign for Brandt, raising a substantial $8,700 in just a few days.
In response to the controversy, Oven & Tap issued a statement, saying that they had “honored” Wise’s table’s request that the tips go to Ryan and her colleague.
They further stated, “Out of respect for our highly valued team members, we do not discuss the details surrounding the termination of an employee.”
The story of the ‘$100 club’ is a testament to the power of generosity, even when it is met with adversity. It shows how kindness can inspire others to act, fostering a sense of community and solidarity.