Best Restaurant Groups to Work For in Canada (Highest Tips 2026)

In the Canadian hospitality industry, the gap between the "average" and the "elite" is massive.

If you work at a local diner selling $10 pancakes, your 15% tip is $1.50. You will run your feet off all day to make $100.

If you work at a premium steakhouse selling $60 ribeyes and $100 bottles of wine, your 15% tip is $24. You can make **$300 to $400 in a single shift**.

The secret to making money in this industry isn't working more hours; it's working for the Right Group.

In 2026, corporate restaurant groups (like The Keg, Earls, and O&B) have turned serving into a science. They offer structured training, benefits, and—most importantly—busy dining rooms with high average bills.

If you are ready to stop clearing plates for pennies and start earning "Professional Server" money, here are the best restaurant groups to work for in Canada.

1. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar (The "Money" Factory)

Category: Premium Casual / Steakhouse

The Vibe: Dark, loud, and busy.

Why it wins: The Keg is legendary in Canada for one reason: Consistency.

• The Bill: The average bill for a table of two is easily $150+. This guarantees high tips.
• The Culture: The Keg is famous for its "Work hard, play hard" culture. The staff parties are legendary, and the team is tight-knit.
• The Training: Their 2-week training program is intense. You will memorize every cut of steak and every wine varietal. Because of this rigor, having "The Keg" on your resume allows you to get hired at almost any other restaurant in the country.
• The Pay: Servers frequently clear $250 - $350 per night in tips on weekends.

2. Earls / Joey / Cactus Club (The "West Coast" Giants)

Category: Premium Casual

The Vibe: Trendy, beautiful people, high energy.

Why it wins: These three chains (all originally from BC) dominate the "cool" market.

• The Hiring: They are known for hiring based on "personality" and "image." It is competitive.
• The Money: These spots are volume monsters. They turn tables fast. You might serve 30 tables in a night. The pace is exhausting, but the cash flow is incredible.
• The "Partner" Path: These groups have excellent management training. Many General Managers started as busboys and now earn $100k+ with equity in the restaurant.
• Note: This is a perfect fit for students looking to maximize their income in short bursts, similar to the strategies in our Best Summer Jobs for Students guide.

3. Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) (The Culinary Elites)

Category: Fine Dining (Toronto/Calgary)

The Vibe: Professional, white tablecloth, sophisticated.

The Brands: Canoe, Aera, Maison Selby.

Why it wins: If you view hospitality as a career, O&B is the Ivy League.

• The Bill: At a restaurant like Canoe, a tasting menu can cost $200 per person. A table of four can drop $1,500. A 20% tip on that is **$300 from a single table**.
• The Benefits: O&B offers health benefits, RRSP matching, and massive staff discounts at some of Canada's best restaurants.
• The Requirement: You need wine knowledge. You cannot fake it here. You need to know the difference between a Barolo and a Brunello.

4. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (The Union Job)

Category: Luxury Hotel Dining

The Vibe: Old money, tourists, and business travelers.

Why it wins: Union Wages.

• The Pay: Unlike street restaurants that pay minimum server wage ($16.55), Fairmont servers often earn a **Union Rate ($20 - $24/hr)** plus tips.
• The Tips: Room service and banquet servers often have an "Automatic Gratuity" (15-18%) added to the bill. You don't have to worry if the customer is cheap; the tip is guaranteed.
• The Perk: Discounted stays at Fairmont hotels worldwide. This makes it a top pick for those interested in Travel Jobs.

5. Darden Restaurants (Milestones / The Yard House)

Category: Corporate Casual

The Vibe: Family-friendly but upscale.

Why it wins: Stability.

• The Structure: Corporate chains like Milestones are less "chaotic" than independent restaurants. The schedules are posted 2 weeks in advance, breaks are enforced, and the kitchen runs on a timer.
• The Entry: They are more willing to hire staff with less experience and train them up, making this a great entry point before moving to a high-end steakhouse.

6. King Street Food Company (Buca / Jacobs & Co)

Category: Ultra-Premium

The Vibe: Celebrity spotting.

Why it wins: Jacobs & Co in Toronto is one of the most expensive steakhouses in Canada.

• The Math: They sell $600 steaks. The tip potential here is effectively uncapped. A senior server can earn **$80,000 - $100,000 per year** working 4 nights a week.
• The Catch: You need 5+ years of fine dining experience. You don't apply here; you are usually headhunted or referred.

7. Pursuit Collection / Banff Hospitality

Category: Seasonal / Resort

The Vibe: Mountain life.

Why it wins: You can save everything you make.

• The Setup: As discussed in our Jobs With Employer Housing guide, these jobs provide accommodation.
• The Money: Tourists in Banff are on vacation mode. They spend freely and tip well. Serving at the Sky Bistro (top of the gondola) is one of the most lucrative summer jobs in the country.

Analysis: "Tip Out" vs. "Tip Pool"

Before you accept a job, you must ask: "What is the Tip Out structure?"

1. The Tip Out (Standard):

• You keep your cash tips, but you pay a percentage of your Total Sales (usually 4% to 8%) to the kitchen and support staff.
• Risk: If a table doesn't tip you (stiffs you), you still have to pay 5% of their bill to the kitchen. You literally pay to serve them. This is the danger of high tip-out places like Earls (often 8%+).

2. The Tip Pool (Fairmont/Events):

• All tips are collected and divided by hours worked.
• Pro: Stable. No fighting over tables.
• Con: If you are a superstar seller, you make the same as the lazy server.

Recommendation: If you are a high-performer, look for Tip Out models. If you are new, Tip Pool is safer.

Comparison Table: The "Hustle" Index

Practical Questions Answered

"Is 'Earls Girl' a real thing?"

It’s a stereotype, but rooted in reality.

• The Image: These chains (Earls, Joey, Cactus) openly value "presence." They want staff who fit a certain energetic, polished look.
• The Reality: While they hire for personality, they retain for skill. You cannot survive a Friday night shift at Joey just by looking good. You need to be a multitasking machine. If you can't handle the pressure, you will be fired regardless of your appearance.

"Can guys make money serving?"

Yes, especially in Steakhouses.

• The Bias: While "Breastaurants" or cocktail bars might skew female, Fine Dining and Steakhouses (The Keg, Jacobs & Co) are historically dominated by male servers. The "career waiter" in a tuxedo is a very lucrative role for men.
• Bartending: Men also do very well behind the wood. Check out our Best Weekend Jobs for advice on breaking into bartending.

"Do I have to claim my tips?"

Legally, YES.

• The Law: The CRA requires you to report 100% of your tips as income.
• The Audit: If you declare $0 tips while working at The Keg, the CRA will audit you. They know exactly how much servers make.
• The Mortgage: If you want to buy a house one day, declaring your tips helps you qualify for a larger mortgage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need "Smart Serve"?

Yes, absolutely.

You cannot touch a drop of alcohol in a restaurant without your provincial certification:

• Ontario: Smart Serve
• BC: Serving It Right
• Alberta: ProServe
• It costs ~$40 and takes 3 hours online. Get it before the interview.

What shoes should I buy?

Non-Slip is non-negotiable.

Kitchens are greasy. If you wear Converse, you will slip and break your wrist. Buy Shoes for Crews or specialized non-slip sketchers. It is the most important tool you own.

Is the "Hostess" job worth it?

It is the gateway.

If you have no experience, you will likely start as a Hostess ($17/hr + small tip out).

• Strategy: Take the job, work hard for 3 months, and beg to be trained as a "Server Assistant" (Busser). Once you are on the floor, the promotion to Server is close.

About the author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian career researcher and digital entrepreneur. He tracks real-time labour market data, government hiring trends, and entry-level opportunities to help newcomers and students navigate the Canadian job market.

Sources

• The Keg Careers: https://www.thekeg.com/en/careers
• Oliver & Bonacini Careers: https://www.oliverbonacini.com/careers/
• Smart Serve Ontario: https://www.smartserve.ca/

Note:

Job availability, wages, and hiring conditions can vary widely by province, employer, season, and experience level. All salary ranges and job examples in this guide are estimates based on current labour market data. Always confirm details directly with the employer before applying.