Some restaurants are adding automatic gratuities for FIFA World Cup visitors
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As restaurants in many FIFA World Cup host cities welcome an influx of international visitors this weekend, some operators are adding automatic tips to customers’ checks, citing concerns that guests from countries without a strong tipping culture could unknowingly undercompensate employees.
Fox News Digital reported last month that the Missouri Restaurant Association recommended that establishments in Kansas City temporarily impose automatic gratuities of 20% during the football tournament.
Now some restaurants in other World Cup cities such as Atlanta and Philadelphia are among those doing the same. According to Food & Wine.
AUTO TROPPING OBJECTION BRINGS CONCERNS TO MAJOR US CITIES AS RESTAURANTS PREPARE FOR A SURGE OF FOREIGN VISITORS
Supporters say the move is intended to protect workers who rely heavily on tips and to avoid confusion by visitors unfamiliar with American tipping norms.
Some restaurant operators he told TheTravel That they will display notifications informing customers of the additional fee.
Some restaurants in World Cup host cities require automatic tipping, given that many foreign visitors may be unfamiliar with American tipping customs. (iStock)
“We’ll post it on the menus. We’ll post it in the restaurant, too,” Bob Riekhof, general manager of La Bodega in Kansas City, said in a statement.
“Probably the biggest part is making sure our servers let guests know that the tip is included in the check.”
Ben Fileccia, senior vice president of operations and public relations for the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, told the publication that business owners “don’t want servers, bartenders or tipping employees to explain what the tipping custom is.”
AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE TIP CULTURE, YET MANY STILL EARN 20% AT RESTAURANTS
He said the notifications would “make for a much smoother transaction and eliminate awkward conversations.”
But others worry that mandatory tips could fuel growing consumer frustration with wages and surcharges.
“Restaurant traffic is declining, and anything that is perceived to increase cost risks consumer backlash, especially if it is not well publicized or if consumers think there is an expectation of tipping as well as automatic tipping,” David Henkes, senior principal at Technomic, a food industry research firm in Chicago, told Fox News Digital.
An industry expert told Fox News Digital that automatic tipping regulations could spark consumer backlash. (iStock)
Michele Bermuvez, co-owner of Brewhouse Café in Atlanta, told Food & Wine that “taking good care of our staff is really important to us.”
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“I definitely think there will be some pushback, but you know, it’s going to make things really easier for us,” Bermuvez said.
“We believe guests should tip based on the service they received, not because of a large event.”
Not every restaurateur believes automatic tips are necessary.
“At Mahon Hospitality, we will not be changing our gifting policies during the World Cup,” Robert Mahon told Fox News Digital.
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“We believe guests should tip based on the service they received, not because of a large event.”
A restaurateur in New York City said he believes that tips should be based on the service a customer receives, so automatic tips will not be included in establishments. (iStock)
Mahon said his company is taking a different approach to pricing as many businesses prepare for increased demand. At London & Martin Co., the hospitality group’s English bar in New York City, customers will be able to purchase 6-litre pints of Guinness throughout the World Cup.
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“Our goal is simple: Create a great atmosphere, deliver fair value and give fans a reason to come back throughout the tournament,” he said.
The debate underscores a broader issue facing restaurants: whether automatic charging is necessary to protect employees from cultural differences in tip expectations, or whether strong service and transparent pricing are enough to encourage customers to tip voluntarily.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the National Restaurant Association for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis contributed reporting.
