A Victorian burger chain will offer staff a portion of profits in an effort to retain them during the cost of living crisis and tight labour market.
About 10 per cent of the company's profits will go to employees who meet targets with their food presentation and quality of customer service, in what the chain calls an "industry-first" incentive scheme.
Hospitality workers are among those hardest to find, according to a recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of business conditions and sentiments.
Vanessa Jose, a manager at Burgertory's Box Hill location, said the incentive scheme has boosted staff motivation.
"With the cost of living increasing so much at the moment, my staff are often asking for extra shifts to cover costs so I know this will definitely be well received and will make a difference," she said.
Burgertory made $30 million in sales at its 17 stores last year, and the chain's founder Hash Tayeh said it was important to give back to employees.
"These first-to-market initiatives are being undertaken in order to thrive during the most challenging economic time," he said.
"Businesses across Australia are collectively battling inflation, staffing and supply issues. Never before has innovation been more important for businesses to flourish."
The four-year-old business is one of Australia's largest independent burger chains, with plans to expand further through Melbourne and into Sydney.
It comes after the Fair Work Commission raised the national minimum wage by 5.2 per cent, roughly an extra $40 per week.
The United Workers Union said it is not aware of the incentives scheme.
The union's digital presence Hospo Voice has previously said trained and experienced workers have "quit the industry in droves".
Some venues have offered sign-on bonuses and other inducements, but workers could find the "rug pulled from underneath them" when competition for workers starts to ease.
Australian Associated Press
