A tronc is a special pay arrangement that lets businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector, such as bars, restaurants, hotels or casinos, fairly share staff tips, gratuities and service charges given by customers. The word finds its roots in 1920s France where “tronc des pauvres”, or collecting boxes, were used to accept donations for the poor. With pending legislation on the horizon, a tronc scheme will be even more advantageous for the sector as businesses look for ways to ensure they are compliant with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill which focuses on fairness of tip allocations.
A troncmaster is the person responsible for sharing tips to staff through a tronc scheme. The decision to appoint a troncmaster lies solely with the business that wishes to implement a tronc.
There is a growing demand for independent troncmasters, such as Buzzacott, who are not employees of the business in order to remove the administrative burden of running a tronc, ensure it remains up-to-date and in line with HMRC policy, and that allocations are shared fairly and efficiently.
The benefits of implementing a tronc scheme are:
With the Employment Allocation of Tips Bill (Tipping Act) and Code of Practice set to come into force on 1 October 2024, it's crucial for your business to adequately prepare for compliance. Download our free checklist today to ensure you're ready for the upcoming changes.
At Buzzacott, we support a wide range of businesses in the hospitality sector by acting as their troncmaster, from bars and restaurants to hotels and casinos. Our troncs are completely transparent, conform fully to HMRC requirements, provide an exemption from National Insurance Contributions and offer significant savings to employers and staff. Whether you’re a new or an established business, we can help you set up and implement your bespoke troncmaster scheme. Get in touch for a free consultation today.
We've used Buzzacott Troncmaster Services for just over two years now. We were initially concerned about moving from service charge to tronc payments for our staff and the minefield it could create, but I have to say the Buzzacott team provided and managed a very clear transition, which was to everyone’s benefit.
They're extremely professional, communicate very effectively and the integration with our payroll team has been excellent. We've not had a single issue with their service, which represents very good value for the monthly charge and I highly recommend them if you’re looking for an independent service.
David Needes, Director
Call us today on +44 (0)20 7710 3389 or email troncmaster@buzzacott.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.