Bella Italia
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Bella Italia (formerly known as Bella Pasta) is a chain of over 80 Italian restaurants operating in the United Kingdom. The chain is part of the Tragus Group, who also own Café Rouge and Strada.
Bella Italia has been established in the UK since the early 1990s. The menu combines pizza and pasta, which is their main product, with a range of grill and speciality dishes. The food is complemented by some Italian wines - many from smaller producers - beers and soft drinks.
[edit] Controversy
In 2009 the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait staff who do not get customers to pay tips on credit cards rather than in cash. Credit card tips are used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff.[1] In line with changes to tipping legislation, which came into effect on 1st October 2009, Tragus Ltd reviewed and updated its policies to ensure that all tips, after a 10% deduction for administrative and other costs paid by credit or debit card, are now distributed through the payroll system to restaurant staff. All Tragus employees are paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.[2]
