Cafe Landwer Employee Reviews

Worked at the DT location. Super busy place so expect to work but the tips make up for it. Your schedule is based on performance so if you’re a good server and are a team player you’ll get the shifts you want. Downfall is sometime you work with new servers that can’t multi-task and you have to pick up the slack. The managers were super helpful but some are strict but that’s in every restaurant. Shifts are between 5-8 hours and have never been delayed, only asked to start early because of how busy it was. Baristas can sometimes think they are gods and freak out if you ask them a question. Like chill out. Overall I had a good experience here. It’s what you make of it.

Pros

Tips, managment, co-workers, support

Cons

Large menu to learn. Picking up slack for others. Co-workers that are toxic.

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Just no

Kitchen Manager/Chef (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 30 September 2023

Doesn't worth it , to stressful. Management changed and everything good about the place changed. Definitely the company's pocket money comes first and nothing else.

Pros

Free food

Cons

To many

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Insights into Cafe Landwer

Based on 22 survey responses

Areas for improvement

Sense of belonging
General feeling of work happiness
Energizing work tasks

Mixed Experience at Cafe Landwer

Front of House Staff (Former Employee) - 5000 Yonge st. - 26 September 2023

I worked at Cafe Landwer for a period of time, and my experience there was a mixed one. While there were aspects of the job that I truly enjoyed, I feel compelled to share some concerns about the management, particularly the general managers.Pros:Team and Atmosphere: The frontline staff at Cafe Landwer was fantastic to work with. I had the pleasure of working alongside some incredibly talented and friendly individuals who were dedicated to delivering quality service and making customers feel welcome.Customer Interaction: Interacting with customers and serving them coffee and food was a fulfilling aspect of the job. It was rewarding to see regular customers and engage in conversations over a cup of coffee.Cons:Management: Unfortunately, my experience with the management, particularly the general managers, left much to be desired. It often felt like they were more concerned about their own agendas than the well-being of the team. There seemed to be a lack of communication, and it was disheartening to witness favoritism and a lack of support for certain employees. Also, general managers and even the CFO of the company is always on tips. Toxic Work Environment: The work environment was often toxic, with an air of tension and uncertainty. I felt that the management only engaged with employees when they needed something, and there was a noticeable lack of appreciation for the hard work put in by the staff.Lack of Development: Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company were limited, and it was unclear how one could progress in their career -

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It's an okay place, just don't expect much

Bartender (Former Employee) - Adelaide, ON - 12 September 2023

The pay is pretty good relative to the work you do, but the management varies a lot. Some of the managers are fantastic, but some of them can really ruin your shift. the tip-out is good, and you aren't there too late.Expect to pull doubles, up to 12 hour shifts.Management will also make you wait a few hours to start your shift if it's not busy and then gets offended if you try and leave.

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The managers are so rude, that’s why I quit

Hostess (Current Employee) - 165 university avenue - 6 September 2023

The managers will be observing you for the entirety of your shift and if they don’t see you doing anything for just a minute, they’ll make you do some useless task and criticize you for not working enough. They will send you home hours early whenever they want to (happens all the time) and they won’t even say hello to you when you enter the restaurant. It’s a shame because I loved the staff here but the managers at this location are awful. I’d much rather look for another job than work here for another second.

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Stressful environment; not worth the stress

Barista/Server (Former Employee) - 5000 Yonge Street, Toronto - 27 August 2023

During my training the manager was supportive, but the trainer made me feel extremely nervous, and I ended up always messing up, which just added to the stress. It felt too martial, the training. I wasn't treated kindly...

Pros

Pretty place to work, and great food

Cons

Too much pressure right off the bat, when busy. I never got to experience what a dead season is like, (thank god).

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Stressful behind the bar

Barista and bartender (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 21 August 2023

Managers kinda sucked and you arent paid enough to be constantly stressed out. Fast turn over for employees. In the winter they cut your hours like crazy and you won't be able to afford rent.

Pros

Okay tips

Cons

Stressful environment

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Fun environment terrible service

Shift Manager (Former Employee) - Haifa, Israel - 4 August 2023

The working environment in Cafe Landwer is very fun and young, but the service is terrible.It’s really hard being a server there because of the system of the restaurant

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It's only good for maybe a month or two

Barista (Former Employee) - 165 University Ave - 20 June 2023

I worked at the university location for over two years and the best way to describe this place is like being in a toxic relationship. They will treat you good at the beginning and use money as a way to manipulate you into staying and overlooking the horrible management this place has. This place is know for their extremely high employee turnover which is why they are always *urgently hiring* so be ready to say goodbye to your coworkers every month or two. People are constantly leaving because of the unprofessionalism of management. They are very money thirsty and only care about their pockets being full. They have a consistent history of cutting shifts by hours as well as delay you anywhere from 30 minutes to TWO HOURS for their convenience because if they are not making money, then no one else should either. They are very disrespectful and lack compassion when it comes to employees having personal issues. They are extremely inconsistent with schedules being delivered on time with multiple instances of receiving your work schedule on Sunday evenings for the following week, making it impossible to plan your week in advance and have a life outside of work. You are not allowed to complain about anything without them telling you how replaceable you are, truly showing you that they don't care or see you as a human being. I recommend you look for other places to work at because this place will only ruin your mental health and confidence. Don't let the "$30-$35/hour" fool you. You wont be making this every shift. The money is not worth the treatment you will receive here. Stay safe.

Pros

Good coworkers

Cons

Terrible management, inconsistent hours, unprofessional

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Fun and fast paced work environment

Server (Current Employee) - Los Angeles, CA - 16 April 2023

Great pay, flexible hours, fantastic staff and manger. Food's fantastic yet the one drawback is the employee discount is 50% off. Free coffee every shift is a lifesaver.

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Jobs at Cafe Landwer

Barista( Yorkdale mall)

Toronto, ON

2 days ago

Head Server/Supervisor

Toronto, ON

5 days ago

Shift Manager (Front of House)

Active and sometimes fun

Server (Current Employee) - Toronto, ON - 11 April 2023

I learned how to be a server here. Managers and colleagues are pretty nice and friendly. I like fast paced work environments but the problem is being cut very often. When it is not busy at all, we have wait to clock in even though we are there on time or they are giving us a break, sending home earlier. That's why we are losing hours and tips. This is very frustrating for me because I am always open to work hard and be active. Weeekends are mostly busy and we are not taking break at all which is fine. Shifts are mostly 5, 6 and 6.30 hours without the cuts. Tips are not bad, especially on weekends.

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no hours, some managers are rude

Waitress (Former Employee) - avenue road - 30 March 2023

i worked here for a few months and although they are nice in the beginning, most of the supervisors/managers are not nice and low tip out and low hours. great coffee though and some of the food items are good as well.

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Great for experience

Lead Server (Former Employee) - Vaughan, ON - 6 March 2023

One of those jobs that you’ll always remember, I loved it. It had its cons but the pros definitely outweighed it, I wish the tips were a little higher.

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Chaotic Management

Waitress (Former Employee) - Brighton, MA - 3 March 2023

The money and most of the customers are good, just be prepared for constant turn over- in *every department*. Meaning, the GM position is a revolving door, the baristas, servers and shift managers are constantly quitting. Sometimes shifts have been purposefully understaffed... Also be ready to just never see some things restocked and for equipment to be broken for weeks or longer. Eventually you'll realize that your bosses don't care about fixing the place. I think most of the people still at landwer are using it as a temporary second job

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Waste of time, only good for beginners

Server (Former Employee) - North York, ON - 30 October 2022

This place is only good to work at if you are just starting off and need to build experience. The managers take most of your tips and do not disclose how much they take, but they take around the same cut as you do. Technically illegal since they don't do work legally qualified to allow them to take a cut of your tips but they get away with it. They also are very cheap and try to cut your hours as much as possible, forcing you to sit out 30-60 mins before your shift, and 30-60 min breaks during your shift. So your 6 hour shift turns into a 4-5 hour shift. I left after 2 months for a better restaurant and now make on average quadruple what I made here in tips.

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don't recommend

Barista (Former Employee) - Boston, MA - 23 August 2022

First I should say that since I've worked here I've been told there's been a few changes to management, but in the time I was there it was just not a good job. The pay was okay but that's because you're mostly by yourself and the work that's put on you really should be split between more people. It was extremely stressful and unorganized, no one in management seemed to actually know what was going on and that's probably because they never actually talk to the staff. There were so many miscommunications. So many of my coworkers, and myself, tried to communicate the issues we were having to multiple people in management and nothing was ever done. These issues included being overworked, lack of breaks, poor communication, organization, wages, poor training, etc. That alone led many people to quit out of frustration and feeling unappreciated, adding to the already very high turnover rate. I really would advise anyone not to work here.

Pros

Nice staff

Cons

Unorganized, communication

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Busy place and the tips suck

General Manager (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 20 February 2022

The worst part about working there was the owners are all over you all the time and demand so much send give so little. The staff are fun to work with and it was fun to be there but you can't get broken down everyday with constant negative conversations

Pros

Great food

Cons

The money wasn't what was promised

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Want to forget how to cook?

Dishwasher/Line Cook (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 15 February 2022

Dirty, Cheap, Dirty,Craziest company I've worked at in my many many years experience. Dishwasher machine also often has no chemicals only Luke warm water. Their fresh ingredients are all frozen. They keep food on the floor. Often don't have a dishwasher because they want to save money. Resulting in cooks doing dishes and cooking YUK! Head MGT will make anybody a manager, if it means they don't have to work. You will 100% be overworked & underpaid at all locations.

Pros

Free food Room to grow

Cons

Long hours Bad pay Bad MGT Owners don't care Dirty dirty dirty.

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don't work

Km (Current Employee) - Toronto, ON - 14 February 2022

Kitchen manager don't know how to screen the resume .Waste of time.They just know basics knowledge.Need to hire some good management and staff.can do better.

Pros

None

Cons

whatever you can think.

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Great company to work for!

Server (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 27 January 2022

Fun and fast paced. The managers really care about you unlike other chains I've worked for. Co-workers are fun and everyone gets along which is rare.

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Great place to work with tons of opportunities to grow as long as your willing to work for it . Overall great company that will take care of you .

Kitchen Manager / cook / prep cook (Former Employee) - Toronto, ON - 27 January 2022

Great company to work for , very flexible with hours of work. Great at recognizing their employees value and aren't shy of promoting and rewarding individuals that deserve the opportunity.

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