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The issue of tipping continues to vex restaurant owners. I've written often that I think we'd all be better off without tipping but its felt like the needle hasn't moved much in the past few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has perhaps provided an impetus for change. First, restaurants have a significant change in their cost structure and price increases are likely coming. Incorporating a gratuity into the price changes may be easier now and may also mask general price increa

I am fascinated by restaurants. We’re spending more of our food dollar there (both as North Americans generally and my empty nest family specifically) and they play an important role in shaping our perceptions of food and, therefore, our subsequent choices. Restaurants are also small businesses which struggle with low margins and interesting labour dynamics. That’s what makes me a restaurant geek and drives me to write about interesting visits. Last Wednesday I was invited to