Missouri Restaurant Association Urges 20% Auto-Gratuity for 6 Kansas City World Cup Matches
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 12
Missouri Restaurant Association Urges 20% Auto-Gratuity for 6 Kansas City World Cup Matches
6 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 12
Kansas City restaurants are being advised to add a temporary 20% automatic gratuity during the World Cup to protect server pay as the city hosts six matches.
The Missouri Restaurant Association says many overseas visitors may not know U.S. tipping norms, putting at risk worker earnings and restaurants' use of the tip credit if tips fall below minimum wage.
$60 million to $90 million in restaurant and bar revenue is expected during the tournament, and supporters say bundling gratuity into the bill could reduce confusion for international tourists.
David Henkes of Technomic said the move could still trigger backlash from diners already facing higher menu prices and growing tipping fatigue, especially if they think an extra tip is still expected.
Not all operators support the idea: Jasper's Italian Restaurant said many regulars already tip above 20% and it does not expect World Cup tipping to become a major problem.
With World Cup profits now in doubt, is a mandatory 20% tip a risky gamble for Kansas City restaurants?
Could Florida’s new law on service fees create legal chaos for Kansas City’s World Cup tipping plan?