Strada

from Wikipedia:

Strada is a chain of Italian restaurants in the UK. It was spawned by Luke Johnson. It has 64 (as of April 2008) restaurants, mostly in the South of England with a few in the Midlands, North of England and in Wales. It is positioned as upmarket of Pizza Express.

In May 2007, the group, with several associated brasseries (2 Belgos and 3 Bierodromes - April 2008), was acquired by Tragus Ltd.. owner of the Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia, Potters Bar & Kitchen and Huxleys chains.

Strada serves freshly prepared dishes using seasonal produce. The menu offers hand stretched pizzas, fresh pastas, risotto and grilled meat and fish dishes.

In 2009 the company was found to be threatening to dismiss wait staff who do not get customers to pay tips on credit cards rather than in cash. Credit card tips are used by the company to subsidise wages (which are usually the legal minimum) whereas cash tips go directly to wait staff. In line with changes to tipping legislation, which came into effect on 1 October 2009, Tragus Ltd. reviewed and updated its policies to ensure that all tips, after a 10% deduction for administrative and other costs paid by credit or debit card, are now distributed through the payroll system to restaurant staff. All Tragus Group employees are paid tips in addition to the National Minimum Wage.