New restaurant policy: 5% off if you check your phone at the door

“People have tweeted us, emailed us saying ‘Oh my God, thank you for doing something,’” Gold said.

As servers explain to customers just after they’re seated, participation is voluntary, but about 40 percent decide to opt in, Gold says. And surprisingly, not one response has been negative.

“No one has ever really criticized the policy,” Gold said. “We understand that some people — doctors, parents with kids at home — need their phones, but everyone has been very positive. The incentive is there for those who want to take it.”