Joe's Crab Shack to remove all tipping and raise wages to $14 an hour.

[GarlicGuy]

Joe's Crab Shack is the first national chain to implement a no-tipping policy.

Menu prices will rise and average of 12 to 15 percent and staff will start at $14 an hour. You can make even more with great performance.

This is just a headline from Facebook. Joe's has 113 stores.

[ComputerNerd]

Nice to see someone take that step finally, instead of hiding behind the "culture".
When expected by default, it should have been a billed charge, instead of calling it a tip.
A tip should be truly optional.

[Grym]

While it is a "chain", it is not going to help much until more chains start to do it.

[ComputerNerd]

While it is a "chain", it is not going to help much until more chains start to do it.

Indeed, lets hope others follow that example instead of being so shellfish.

[Malachi256]

Nice to see someone take that step finally, instead of hiding behind the "culture".
When expected by default, it should have been a billed charge, instead of calling it a tip.
A tip should be truly optional.

This this this.

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Indeed, lets hope others follow that example instead of being so shellfish.

No no no!
/nono

[Kalis]

It's not clear what they mean by a 'no tipping' policy, are customers not allowed to tip at all? Or do they make it clear that tips are entirely optional, as the staff are paid a fair wage?

[Kujako]

Now if only they would cut it out with the tie-dye shirts...

[zenkai]

It will attract customers, especially since their prices are already high and a 20% on top of that makes for an expensive meal, but they will have a harder time finding waiters/ress unless other restaurants follow suit

[Lochton]

About damn time, really.

[ComputerNerd]

It's not clear what they mean by a 'no tipping' policy, are customers not allowed to tip at all? Or do they make it clear that tips are entirely optional, as the staff are paid a fair wage?

They said staff have the opportunity to earn more from "great performance".
But I agree that is rather unclear.
Perhaps it is less personal tipping, but more to the establishment with customer rating of the service via the bill or other means of feedback dictating how that is then distributed.

[zenkai]

It's not clear what they mean by a 'no tipping' policy, are customers not allowed to tip at all? Or do they make it clear that tips are entirely optional, as the staff are paid a fair wage?

For legal reasons probably not to tip at all. When I was in highschool working at Burger King we demoed a waiter type service but since I made full minimum wage I had to wear a button saying I was not allowed to accept tips. I am sure some people will still give cash tips regardless.

[Grym]

but they will have a harder time finding waiters/ress unless other restaurants follow suit

Don't waiter/waitress always complain "we need that tip to survive as our employer don't pay living wage!!! If you don't tip you burn in hell!!!"?

Now that they are paid $14 (is it living wage? I don't live in US so someone please clarify), if it is living wage, the waiter/waitress should be happy about this.

[triplesdsu]

I'm curious if this is a pay raise or cut for wait staff. Meaning did they usually make more off the tips then they are going with the straight hourly wage increase. Itll be an increase for the non tipped positions I imagine.

[Sunseeker]

Sadly, the nearest location is in Aurora Colorado, too far to drive, much as I'd love to support them.

But still, I'll happily pay what is essentially a mandatory tip about on my meal if it means employees are making $14/hr minimum.

[Jester Joe]

How unamerican of them, let's boycott them!

Saw this last night though, kudos to them.

[mvaliz]

Joe's Crab Shack has just earned my patronage!

[Daymanmb]

Don't waiter/waitress always complain "we need that tip to survive as our employer don't pay living wage!!! If you don't tip you burn in hell!!!"?

Now that they are paid $14 (is it living wage? I don't live in US so someone please clarify), if it is living wage, the waiter/waitress should be happy about this.

A good server at a busy restaurant can make upwards towards $20-30 an hour, including base pay and tips.

[IIamaKing]

Cool, I will go eat at Joe's.....eh no I wont. Its so much cheaper to made crabs at home. But good on them. Tipping is a stupid ass social contract.

[Sunseeker]

It will attract customers, especially since their prices are already high and a 20% on top of that makes for an expensive meal, but they will have a harder time finding waiters/ress unless other restaurants follow suit

Wait, I'm confused. Shouldn't higher prices turn away customers, while higher wages will attract employees? Why would raising their prices attract customers and raising their wages scare off employees?

Do waiters/waitresses really make on average $14/hour with tips? Because if the default pay for a server is $2.50, that means they'd have to personally take in $11.50/hour in tips to make up the difference, which at an approx 15% tip rate would mean they'd need to serve roughly $60 in meals per hour.

[Marema]

Meh, not sure what will actually change. I'm sure the good perfermors were already averaging over $14 an hour. The crappy servers will make more money. You'd be surpised how much some servers can make if they are good at their job.