Quantity over barely any quality - Server SSP Group Employee Review

2.0
5 Jul 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

MONEY! Union benefits, 4 day work week, some coworkers and managers

Cons

The PASSION principle seems like some sort of cruel joke. These people wouldn't know passion if it slapped them in the face. But oh boy will they preach it to you!! Sorry it's hard to have passion when I've been here 9 hours and haven't had a second to use the bathroom let alone eat. Wouldn't management that expected passion at least check on their employees to see if they were ok. Constantly out of sometimes 50% of menu items. It's a bunch of fun to tell a guest who waited for a table for 30 minutes that you have barely any food left when they sit down. Surely that could be handled by the host at the door right??? Wrong! No support staff. You're the host, runner, server, busser, cashier. That definitely makes for an establishment that exudes passion doesn't it? Oh yeah and 3 cooks called off so there's 2 guys back there doing $3000 hours with no sign of the new manager who still thinks he's above getting on the line so he leaves the restaurant without a care that we're going down in flames! Don't worry by the time you remember his name he'll be gone. All the smart/good ones leave. I don't blame them they were hired for a manager position not line cook. You think maybe after you have a few years on your belt that things will be different, you showed them you work your butt off for them so they'll acknowledge that. Wrong! Don't dare drop OVER because you're exhausted and starving with a bladder infection from not being able to go to the bathroom. Yep, that's right, you'll get fired for dropping your own tips. And you think well they'd give it those tips back to you because of course you did earn them they were yours and if you're fired you'll definitely need them. Nope. They're the companies tips now. Transportation problems? Better get it fixed in a jiffy or you'll be gone while all the favorites can call off every week. God forbid you make an error ringing on a guest since you have been on the floor for 8 hours straight with no break and rang $4500. You better hope every transaction was perfect or you're done, unless of course you want to pay out of pocket for your mistake, even if it's a third of your tips that day. It's by far the most toxic work environment. Upper management has zero clue what's going on in their restaurants, they just come down every couple days to spit out criticisms and make another arbitrary rule. Most of the food is awful, you drop it and run from the table praying you don't get called back to answer why their burger patty is gray. Just read the reviews, they'll tell you all you need to know! Don't even get me started on how disgusting the kitchens are and let's not forget all the roaches. So. Many. Roaches. If you're hourly I'd take the job for the money or the amazing benefits but just know it's the type of place that wears on your soul. Managers, RUN!! They will run you into the ground and then email you to let you know how you can improve. It's good money but I promise it's not worth it!!

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SSP Group Response
1y
Though your feedback is not positive, we do appreciate your candid review of your experience. We aim to live up to our PASSION Principles and create a positive work experience for our team members. Please know that we take your input seriously and are working to address these concerns.

Explore other reviews about SSP Group

5.0
14 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There is room for growth and opportunities to transfer domestic or international

Cons

Lack of communication, but that's with any job

1.0
24 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The employee meal discount is genuinely helpful since bringing food into the airport or buying it from outside is difficult. Many hourly employees are friendly, supportive, and hardworking. Most frontline managers try their best and often go above and beyond despite the pressure they face.

Cons

Senior leadership in the Northeast region operates with intimidation, ego, and favoritism, creating a toxic and unprofessional environment. Schedules are changed constantly with little notice, and employees are expected to work long, exhausting hours without regard for work–life balance. When employees speak up about burnout or need to call out due to exhaustion, they are often targeted instead of supported. Union employees frequently earn more than the supervisors responsible for managing them, which creates tension and undermines morale. Promotions are based on personal relationships rather than merit, and nepotism is widespread across multiple levels of leadership. HR functions more as a disciplinary weapon than a neutral resource for resolving issues or supporting employees. The overall culture is retaliatory, inconsistent, and not aligned with ethical or sustainable business practices.

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SSP Group Response
3mo
We are sorry to hear about your negative experience. Your feedback is important to us,
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