Tom Colicchio, owner of Craft and judge on Bravo TV's Top Chef, is taking on the custom of tipping for service while dining out. Starting this week at lunch, tipping will be optional and menus read "prices are inclusive of service." This is similar to what diners experience in Europe and at a select number of fancy spots in the U.S. like Per Se.
Customers are welcome to leave cash tips but that is as an additional gratuity because service is already included in the bill. Tip lines will be removed from credit card bills. What it means is that the restaurant will guarantee a higher base wage for wait staff, bartenders and others who would normally depend on tips for the majority of their pay. In turn diners will see higher prices on menus - which may be a surprise at first. Colicchio spoke to Eater and said "It's time for a change. It's time to pay the servers a salary. The article in Eater looks deeper at the impact this will have for restaurant workers in front and back of house.
Do tip-free meals smell like the next big idea in dining out?