Imagine waking up to find thousands of dollars in tips and wages mysteriously vanished from your business account. That’s the shocking reality for dozens of British Columbia restaurants, who are now grappling with a financial crisis after a third-party payment platform, Everyday Payments, abruptly halted distributions without explanation. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the company claims it’s a temporary compliance issue, restaurant owners are left wondering if their money is truly safe—or if something more sinister is at play.
Everyday Payments, marketed as a revolutionary solution for real-time employee payouts, promised to simplify fund management for businesses across hospitality, food service, beauty, and wellness industries. According to their website, the platform’s AnyDay system combines an employer portal, mobile app, and payment card to streamline earnings access. For Eric Griffith, owner of Alta Bistro and Alpha Cafe in Whistler, it was a game-changer—until it wasn’t. ‘We’re missing $4,550,’ Griffith told Global News, recounting his discovery last Wednesday. ‘I thought it was just an error, but days went by with no response.’
And this is the part most people miss: Griffith isn’t alone. Matthew Upton, co-owner of The Broken Seal in Squamish, reported a staggering $12,000 missing—equivalent to two weeks of payroll. ‘It’s huge,’ Upton said, echoing the desperation felt by many. The financial blow is particularly devastating for an industry already operating on razor-thin margins. Ian Tostenson, CEO of the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association, revealed that some restaurants have lost upwards of $50,000, with one Vancouver establishment seeing nearly a million dollars vanish from employee tip wallets managed by Everyday Payments.
The company’s response? A vague statement citing ‘operational adjustments’ during a transition to a prefunded processing model. ‘Funds were not removed outside established processes,’ they claimed. But for Griffith, Upton, and countless others, the damage is done. ‘This isn’t just about numbers,’ Griffith said. ‘It’s about paying staff, suppliers, and keeping the lights on.’
Here’s the burning question: Is this a temporary glitch or a systemic failure? Tostenson suspects the issue stems from a recent merger, with both companies deflecting blame. Meanwhile, restaurant owners are filing police reports and scrambling to cover payroll. ‘Where is our money?’ Tostenson demanded. ‘This is a crisis of trust.’
As the saga unfolds, it raises broader concerns about third-party financial platforms and their accountability. Are businesses trading convenience for vulnerability? And what protections are in place when things go wrong? What do you think? Is this an isolated incident, or a red flag for the industry? Share your thoughts in the comments—this conversation is far from over.
