Richmond institution Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue will be raising starting wages and adding more benefits for its employees.

Starting on Aug. 24, baseline pay will be bumped to $12.50 per hour, or $8.00 for servers who accept tips, the restaurant announced Thursday.

“During a time when an increase of the minimum wage is on the political battlefield, making a living wage is becoming increasingly difficult. Buz and Ned’s has come out on the side of their employees,” the restaurant said in a press release.

In addition to the wage increase, the restaurant said it is also moving toward a mostly full-time work force and will be providing healthcare benefits for its employees.

Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue joins Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market and Martin’s with employee wage increases this year.