Restaurant owners in US cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are introducing mandatory tips on bills, fearing international visitors may not follow America’s tipping culture. The tournament is set to be the most expensive in history, with soaring costs for flights, hotels and tickets already affecting fans.
Tipping is deeply ingrained in the US hospitality industry, where many servers and bartenders earn below the minimum wage and rely on gratuities. To protect staff income during the influx of millions of foreign visitors, some restaurants plan to incorporate the tip into the final bill.
In Atlanta, T's Brunch Bar will raise its existing automatic 18 per cent gratuity to 20 per cent. Owner Teneshia Murray Butler explained: 'Different people's cultures, it's not nothing bad, they just don't tip.' Meanwhile, Boston businesses have proposed a mandatory 20 per cent tip, with Steve DiFillippo of Davio's telling customers would be notified via menus. However, George Pantos of Jimmy's Pub & Restaurant prefers posting reminders, trusting visitors to tip voluntarily.
In Kansas City, the Missouri Restaurant Association is advising eateries to add a compulsory service charge during the six-week event. Executive director Mike Burris said servers 'wouldn't be too happy' serving a table for 90 minutes with no tip due to cultural differences.
The temporary policies risk upsetting local diners already feeling the pinch. David Henkes of Technomic warned that any perceived cost increase could trigger consumer backlash, especially if not clearly communicated. As traffic declines, restaurants must balance worker protection with customer satisfaction.
