Beginning February 20, 2020, Pizzeria Prima Strada will include a 2% fee on all guest checks to help mitigate the cost of the Employer Health Tax (EHT).
To make up for the lost revenue from the elimination of MSP premiums, the province introduced an Employer Health Tax for businesses with annual payrolls above $500,000. The EHT was implemented with little information provided to and even less consultation with the small businesses it so deeply affects.
Pizzeria Prima Strada is family owned and operated, employing more than 80 staff between our three pizzerias and production kitchen. Our annual payroll places Prima Strada in the highest EHT bracket of 1.95%.
We have come to this decision after much consideration. Since the EHT was announced, we have observed how businesses will address this new tax. We have also communicated with government and industry groups to find the best solution to help sustain our business.
Our options included: price increases, staff reduction and smaller portions. However, these options are not transparent and in opposition to our company values. The 2 % fee will go directly to offset the cost of the Employer Health Tax.
After more than 11 years in operation, we remain passionate for pizza, the culinary craft and hospitality. We embrace the challenges of our industry: known for slim operating margins and a dire workforce shortage.
We are proud to have created an award winning business recognized for our excellent hospitality and high quality products. Our business operations focus on community and environmental involvement. We continue to create a company and culture committed to our employees and our community. At PPS, we invest in manager education, donate generously to our community and offer an extended health and dental benefits plan (benefits not covered by MSP).
We created Pizzeria Prima Strada to be a neighborhood institution: the place to celebrate the everyday and the extra special with family and friends. We sincerely appreciate your business and support of Pizzeria Prima Strada.
Additional information on the Employer Health Tax can be found here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/taxes/employer-health-tax/employer-health-tax-overview
Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at cristen@primastrada.com or gdallas@primastrada.com
-Cristen DeCarolis & Geoffrey Dallas
