Restaurants in World Cup Host Cities Add 20% Automatic Gratuities

Restaurants in several FIFA World Cup host cities are adding automatic gratuities to customers’ checks this weekend. The Missouri Restaurant Association advised Kansas City establishments to temporarily implement automatic gratuities of 20% during the soccer tournament. Some restaurants in Atlanta and Philadelphia are adding automatic gratuities of 20% as well.

Bob Riekhof, general manager of La Bodega in Kansas City, stated that notices of the surcharge will be posted on menus and in the restaurant. “We’ll have that posted on the menus themselves. We’ll have it posted in the restaurant,” he said.

David Henkes, senior principal at Technomic, stated that restaurant traffic has been declining and automatic gratuities risk consumer backlash if not well-publicized. “Restaurant traffic has been declining, and anything that is perceived to increase the cost does risk some consumer backlash, particularly if it’s not well-publicized or if consumers feel there’s an expectation to tip on top of the automatic tip,” he told Fox News Digital.

At Mahon Hospitality, gratuity policies will not be changed during the World Cup, Robert Mahon told Fox News Digital.

Mahon Hospitality’s English pub in New York City will offer $6 pints of Guinness throughout the World Cup. “Our goal is simple: Create a great atmosphere, offer fair value and give fans a reason to come back throughout the tournament,” he said. Fox News Digital reached out to the National Restaurant Association for comment.