Reeedddd Buuuudddd!

I don't know which restaurant for sure has beettr tips, but I think you should arrange to go to both interviews. That way you can make the best decision. My feelings however on the tips issue, is that you may make more tips at Chili's. Most of the Chili's I have seen get a good flow of business. Whereas, Outback Steakhouse does not seem to generate the constant flow (and tips) of the Chili's. As well, as you read on you will see that Chili's is a good establishment I feel would offer the most to you over the long term. In any event, you can't be at two different places at the same time. So you can place priority on one restaurant over the other. I recommend you arrange to go to both interviews since you don't have a lock on either job just yet. When you go to the first interview you may not be hired on-the-spot and this will leave you uncertain and in limbo. Always have a back up plan. My advise for selecting your first choice is outlined below. The other interview will have to be rescheduled. I give you this advice based on your statement, I need to choose a restaurant to work at fast. Cover all your bases.First pre-select a restaurant. Ask yourself questions like? What do I know about________? What is the condition of the restaurant, is it well kept, attractive, does it have a good flow of customers (which tells you about the overall satisfaction of the people they serve), is it easy to get to by car/public transportation? Look at the servers if you can. Are they neat, clean and well dressed? Do they seem genuinely pleasant? What about the service is there a long wait for orders to the table (customers don't like to wait. they become begruntled and hence lower tips!) What about the hours? Consider the closing time, it may take you an hour or more after closing and/or your shift ends to perform tasks related to your position. My daughter is a waitress at another restaurant chain so I give this to you from experience. Now, I have done a little research for you. Both companies have franchises. This is important as sometimes franchised operations do not deliver the same level of service as company owned stores neither to their employees nor customers! Some franchises are just HORRIBLE. Are your prospective restaurants, company owned or one of their franchised restaurants? A simple call to the corporate headquarters for each will clarify this for you. Just call each company at the telephone number below. They will be more than happy to tell you the respective store's status. As well, you can ask for human resources and ask about lateral transfers, that is, a move from one chain store to another of their chain stores if you plan to work in this field for a while. This too can be important as Outback is in the OSI Restaurant chain. Fleming restaurants is a member of OSI Restaurants too. Fleming restaurants is reportedly a fine dining establishment that provides even private dining. These types of restaurants have the highest potential for tips for you should you be able to transfer in the future.Chili's General CounselRoger F. ThomsonBrinker International, Inc.6820 LBJ FreewayDallas, Texas 75240-6515972-980-9917Outback Steakhouse2202 N West Shore Blvd 5th FlTampa, FL 33607 (877)733-6774Next take a look at each company's website. This will give you an idea of the company culture and benefits. CHILI'S is owned by Brinker International Restaurants. They have 1700 restaurants from Cairo to Chicago' including Maggiano's, On the Border and Macaroni Grill, all very popular restaurants. As well, look at the acknowledgements from respected media and industry establishments for Chili's below. These accolades are from respected and renowned resources. They carry a lot of weight. This very well may be an excellent place to work.Fortune Magazine – World’s Most Admired Food Services Companies (2009)Institutional Investor Magazine – America’s Most Shareholder-Friendly Companies (2008)HRC Corporate Equality Index – Best Companies for GLBT Employees and Consumers (2008)FORBES Magazine 400 Best Companies in America (2002-2007)National Retail Federation – Top 100 US Retailers (2007)National Restaurant Association – Texas Restaurant Neighbor Award (2007)Savoy Magazine – Top 100 Companies for Blacks in Corporate America (2007)U.S Chamber of Commerce – Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility (2006)Chain Leader Magazine – Best Place to Work (2006)Fortune Magazine:Most Admired Companies (2001 2006)Top Companies for Women (2005)Top 30 Companies for Minorities (2005 2006Benefits? For Chili's you have to do this part as data specific to the position for which you are applying must be entered.OUTBACK STEAKHOUSEOutback Steakhouse is owned by OSI Restaurant Partners. You will find Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy's Restaurant and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse Wine Bar as member restaurants. They operate three charitable works that support community and military based giving, but there are no independent instituitions that have acknowledged their company climate and culture. Take heed to this.Thanks For GivingOutback Gives BackOperation Feeding Freedom VIIHere are their benefits Hourly EmployeesMedical/Dental/Prescription Card/Life InsuranceMeal DiscountVacationorSalary EmployeesMedical/Dental/Prescription Card/Life InsuranceShort Term DisabilityLong Term Disability401kMeal DiscountAdoption AssistanceVacationFlexible SpendingEmployee Assistance ProgramFinally, Look on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website: . From here you can enter information about your specific restaurant whether or not they are accredited through the BBB. If a complaint has been filed in the last 36 months with this organization you should find it here. As a last step, Google the complete address and name of the restaurant and enter keywords of complaints', reviews', consumer'. This may shakeout the rest of the information you need to make a sound decision. Also contrary to what the following member said, in my experience, Outback is primarily a drinking establishment and Chili's a restaurant with a bar attached. Outback might yield modest tips but only on Friday and possibly Saturday. Chili's is a family' style restaurant where older children are brought along with the adult family members for meals EVERDAY. I like this formula for constant and continuing opportunities for tips.From this preliminary information you SHOULD BE ABLE to make one preference over the other. If not, just select by order of priority. It is most fair to reschedule the interview you learned about last. You can preface you request by saying you have a pre-arranged, date-certain engagement and would like to know if you can schedule your interview for -1) (much) earlier that day or later if possible, that way you are not totally upsetting the interviewer's schedule hopefully. it may be easier for him/her to see you at another time on the same day, but leave yourself plenty of time (2-3 hours EXTRA manuervering time) so you are not rushed or late to the second interview. I have had to choose this option myself previously when faced with a restricted schedule, but it is not the best solution.2) another day it may even be possible for you to schedule the interview before your now scheduled interview, making your dilemma moot. Now, what could go wrong with this? The second company may not be happy with rescheduling. But you have already pre-selected your preferred future employer so any backlash can be seen as partial confirmation that you were right thus far in doing your research. This also could be a clue to future working conditions. If there is a lot of flack over your rescheduling, perhaps it is for the best that you find out now. That is not said with regard to promptness, daily attendance, good work habits, presenting a polished image and following company policy etc. Doing all these things establishes you as an excellent employee. But at times you can find even when you do everything right certain managers are inflexible nevertheless. Better to find that out now.All in all employing all or some of these strategies may help you. Sincerely, I wish you the best in selecting a good employer. Remember, put your best foot forward and the tips will follow! Take Care! Dezzy.