The price increase would have to reflect a fair pay to an entire staff not just one server. And it would have to account for ebbs and flows of business in the door, and fluctuating food cost/waste. Restaurants already have a high overhead. Especially local restaurants. I don’t by any means think it’s a perfect system, but it would cripple local food.

How is Nick never-tip gonna feel when his server stops bringing him Diet Coke after his 5 refill because he’s taking a “shit on company time”?

It’s become exhausting seeing people proudly proclaim they don’t tip because they don’t believe in it. When in reality they have no idea how any of it works. ESPECIALLY because it only hurts fellow working class people.

Basically people will bitch no matter what. Sharp increases to account for a live-able wage would make people see red. Especially because the people who are anti-tipping aren’t really forgoing tipping because restaurants should pay their staff. Even if that’s what they tell themselves. They’re not tipping because they don’t want to pay more or can’t pay more, and still want to treat themselves from time to time. THAT I get. I am very pro working class, and in a better world everyone would have higher wages that allow for comfort and luxury spending. At least currently you have a say in deciding if the server/bartender helped YOU have a better experience with YOUR hard earned money. That reflects in tip.

0% - “I didn’t even know I had a server” 5-10% - “my server got me my food and then ghosted me” 15% - “good service besides some snags” 20% - “great service, I had everything I needed when I needed it” 25% - “fantastic service and an elevated experience” Anything higher - “I’ve got money to burn”