This weekend, as the FIFA World Cup brings in a wave of international visitors, some restaurants in host cities are starting to automatically add tips to customers’ bills. The idea here is to address concerns that tourists hailing from places with different tipping customs might not fully understand the norm in the U.S., which can affect employee wages.
Last month, it came to light that the Missouri Restaurant Association suggested Kansas City restaurants implement a 20% automatic tip during the tournament. Other cities like Atlanta and Philadelphia have begun to adopt similar practices.
Proponents argue that this move aims to support workers who depend on tips and to help tourists navigate the U.S. tipping system more easily.
Some restaurant managers have indicated they’ll display notices to inform customers about this added gratuity. Bob Liekhoff, who oversees La Bodega in Kansas City, mentioned, “We’re going to put it on the menu and also have it clearly marked in the restaurant.” He stressed the importance of servers making it clear that the check already includes a tip.
Ben Fileccia, from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, explained that this notification helps create smoother exchanges and avoid awkward conversations where business owners need to explain tipping norms to employees.
However, not everyone is on board with mandatory tipping. Some fear it might lead to dissatisfaction among customers who are already cautious about their spending, especially if these additional fees aren’t clearly communicated. David Henkes, a senior principal at a food industry research firm, expressed concerns about consumer backlash during this already tough time for restaurant traffic.
Michele Bermbes, co-owner of the Brew House Cafe in Atlanta, acknowledged the potential for pushback but believed the automatic tips could enhance efficiency. “It’s going to streamline things for us,” she said.
“We believe guests should tip based on the service they receive, not because of the big event.”
Despite the trend, some restaurant owners are opting to maintain their original tipping policies. Robert Mahon from Mahon Hospitality stated, “Our tipping policy will not change during the World Cup.” He believes that tips should reflect the quality of service rather than being dependent on an event.
In a different approach, at Mahon’s pub in New York City, customers will be encouraged to buy six pints of Guinness during the tournament, aiming to create a fun atmosphere and value for fans.
This ongoing conversation raises an important question for the restaurant industry: Is it necessary to implement automatic tipping to safeguard employees against varied cultural expectations, or can quality service and straightforward pricing motivate customers to tip without mandates?
Fox News Digital has contacted the National Restaurant Association for further insights.
