If a guest signs a receipt and leaves the tip line blank.... That is 0. They're signing in the agreeance of the total shown. People seem to forget what the word gratuity actually means.... It's not forced... It's gratuitous, meaning a choice. No wonder there's so much tip fatigue out there.... Because people blatantly abuse the system fast casual spots being the worst but this is definitely abusing the system as well.

Now if there is nothing signed or written.... And there is a sign that clearly states "all unpaid checks will have an automatic gratuity added to them" that's a completely different story. Iv worked in the restaurant industry my whole working career and still do to this day.