Thread: Restaurant dancers and contracts?

I ran across a small article about the importance of restaurant dancers having contracts with the restaurant. Is this something normally done?

Does anyone have an example?

I am just curious because I was always told that everything was "spoken" and not in a formal contract.

I am not dancing in a restaurant now but might - someday - and would like to be "prepared" if the day ever comes :-)

Thanks...

We don't have a contract at the restaurant I work at. I wouldn't necessarily mind having one, though. But, not having one allows me as much freedom as it does the owner, so....

oohhh - good point.

I've never had a contract in any of the restaurants I've performed in. I don't know many dancer who do. Not saying that this is good or bad, just the way it is...

Some places have them and some don't.
In all the places I've worked I've only worked at one that had a contract.
What I HAVE found useful, is writing down all the details as we discuss them when setting up the gig. I'll even explain "I don't want to forget what we agree upon.". Then later if there are "misunderstandings" I can cheerfully say "oh, I still have those notes I took when we figured everything out".
Some ME owners prefer to keep things verbal. This seems to be a workable compromise that protects my interests.

The most I've ever done with a restaurant is follow up with an email saying, "I just wanted to confirm everything we talked about last night regarding pay/set length/etc...." so that I KNOW they know that I have it written down. I've never been able to pin a restaurant down with a contract....

In my experience, I have never met a restaurant owner willing to sign to a contract. The restaurant business is so volatile that they are hesitant to make that type of commitment. Especially in this sort of economy.

I'm under contract with a restaurant and I *love* it. My Troupe Director/Instructor set it up, and it makes life so much easier than when I've danced in the past without one.

For my solo gigs, I always use a contract. But for restaurants I too was under the impression that it was pretty much all just built on a handshake and good words. So some of my restaurant work was done this way. In most cases I was filling in for the regular dancer, so it wasn't a big deal anyway. But after securing my current re-occuring gig I understand that there are some serious benefits to being under a contract. For one thing, it establishes a firm pay rate. So there's no question, later, about how much you should be making. Also, you can lay out specifics, such as what happens if no one is around for your third set, so that you can know what will happen well in advance of any sticky situations. And, finally, it frequently prevents another dancer from coming in and undercutting. I've found restaurant work to be one of the most commonly "stolen" forms of gigs - and often it's not really a malicious thing, just that another dancer really wants to dance and feels she doesn't deserve as much money as a seasoned pro. So she offers it cheaper and doesn't realize the damage she's doing...if you can get the owner to agree to a contract this problem can be minimized if not avoided completely.

Of course, on the down side - our contract says that we MUST provide a top-notch dancer. So if someone is sick, or decides they cannot make it, its up to us to fill the spot. Can make things a little hectic, especially if someone decides to cancel out the day of the gig for some reason, but it's usually covered as we have several excellent dancers in the troupe. If you're considering doing a contract I'd say don't hesitate - definitely try to develop one.

in 15 years of restaurant and club dancing I've never signed a contract. I am, however, currently working at a few places where the dancer that does the booking has an agreement in writing that we all adhere to. this is a fairly new thing in my area (last 5 years maybe?) and only a few places do it. I find it really helpful - it's a helpful reminder if you space out and forget what time the show is and how long of a set they expect, and what the pay is and whether you get food or a drink. I know that sounds like "duh" :) but if you have a lot of gigs and a lot of them are just once a month sometimes you can get mixed up. :)

it's also a really useful tool to keep the rabble in line. expectations (and limitations) of the dancers are made very clear, which makes a potential problem person less likely to cause trouble.

Because we get calls into the Studio from individuals looking to hire dancers for their party/event and also from restaurant owners wanting a dancer for either a catered event or regular gig - I have come up with a contract.
It spells out what the studio (acting as agent) will provide in the form of talent, and what the person hiring the dancer can expect (number of sets, length, style of dance, etc). It also spells out what is expected to be provided by the person/entity hiring dancers through us (ie, adequate dance space, payment, safe environment free of debris/glass, place to change, etc.).

For restaurants hiring our dancers - our contract can be on an event or date by date at $X amount, but offers price discount if contracting for weekly shows for say six months or longer...
If you'd like a copy just PM me w/ your email and I will forward to you.

I have come to learn in the years of working at restaurants that a handshake just doesn't cut it. If you are going into a new restaurant or a restaurant that is new to dancing, this is the perfect opportunity to set a contract in motion. You need to take several things into consideration first:

1-Is this job going to be a source of needed income or is this a job that is purely considered "gravy"?

2-Are you planning on being the only dancer at that restaurant or does the place require more dancers?

3-If there will be more dancers, who will be putting the dance schedule together?

4-If you are taking on the responsibilities of scheduler, what is your compensation?

There are many more questions that you need to consider. Part of the issue with restaurants is that the owners (for the most part) don't want to pay the dancers any kind of decent wage and will try just about any excuse to get out of it. Undercutting by other dancers is something else to think about - an owner will drop a dancer that charges $100 for 2 shows if they can get a dancer that charges $50 for 2 shows. Plus - restaurants come and go so quickly - some are only open for about a year before they shut their doors down due to lackluster business management.

Dancing at a restaurant takes alot more then just having 3 costumes, 6 shows on CD and a handshake. Dancing for money equals business and you must think like a business owner. If you are going to provide a service - what is going to be your compensation and what variables will you be working with? Such as - you and the owner decide: $75 per show x 2 shows a night - but one night, only 2 tables are there for dinner and the owner asks you to wait around, in full costume, for several hours, only to tell you "Go home, no dancing tonight - no customers" - are you still getting paid?

Having things written down is your source of protection. It doesn't have to be written up by an attorney - it just needs to state all of the basics, like:

~Days you will be performing
~How many shows per night
~Length of shows
~Show times
~Payment per shows
~Max shows nightly
~If unable to perform due to zero clientele, owner must pay you $___
~Show cancellations with ____ hours advance notice
~If restaurant closes to public for private function, your show rate is now $_____
~If head dancer/scheduler, extra compensation is $_____
~Dancers will be scheduled by you and not owner/restaurant staff
~Dancers other then yourself will make $____ per show with same guidelines
~Tips belong to dancers in full and will not be split with wait/bar staff
~Tips while dancing will live band will be added by owner and dancer and split 50/50 (between dancer and band)
~If dancer no-call/no-shows - it is your responsibility as the head dancer and you will make up the performance.
~Restaurant must advertise dancing
~Dancers must advertise restaurant
~Meals included
~Performer holds a no consumption policy - no drinking and no smoking while in restaurant


Once you have these basic guideline, type them up and both you and owner sign - you each get a copy and that way, both of you are protected.