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Chops & Eggs restaurant CEO donates salary to Corpus Christi employees

Posted at 7:34 PM, Mar 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-27 20:34:03-04

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We’ve heard of small businesses struggling to stay open during this time. This week, two owners of a local company are giving up their salaries to ensure the survival of their business.

A breakfast dinner that’s typically serving hundred of customers a day hasn’t seen a sitting customer in almost a week.

Jordan Jaradat and his brother Ramzi own and operate two restaurants, Chops and Eggs and Ginger Cafe.

Like many other businesses, they’ve struggled to keep their employees on staff as the spread of COVID 19 continues to shut down business after business.

So, in an act of generosity and an effort to keep their restaurant running , Jaradat says they’re choosing to give up their salaries and pay their employees instead

“We have kids, we have a house an we also have expenses but we’re not taking it," said Jaradat. "We’re gonna squeeze ourselves little bit, so we’ll be able to pay their payroll."

The business is still making small revenue by selling wholesale items.

“Eggs, toilet paper, and orange juice," said Jaradat.

Jaradat says this giving up his salary was the only way he and his brother could take care of his employees financially

“All of us were worried and thinking 'what are we gonna do', just trying to make it through," said one employee.

“Last night Jordan sent all of us a message telling us we’re not in this alone, he’s with us," said another employee.

“I would split my last dollar with you guys, you are my family,” said Jaradat.

Between both restaurants, there are 60 employees still getting paid thanks to Jaradat's altruism.

On top of that Jaradat and his brother gave all 60 of their employees 2 and half dozens eggs free of charge.

Jaradat says small business is the backbone of the American economy.

“Those 60 employees have houses , they have cars, they have car insurance, they have to buy groceries, if those 60 employees are unempoloyed, everything will stop,” said Jaradat.

Jaradat says making sure his staff stays afloat is his priority.