Danny Meyer Joins Tom Colicchio by Eliminating Tipping at His Restaurants
The NYC restaurateur follows the #TopChef judge in adopting this new business model.
Following in the footsteps of Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, Tom's former partner, Danny Meyer, is taking a radical stance on tipping in his restaurants. In a lengthy letter, the NYC restaurateur confirmed that his Union Square Hospitality Group restaurants will eliminate tipping, beginning next month.
"Starting at The Modern in late November, you will no longer find a tip line on your check, and there will be no need to leave additional cash at the table, the coat check, or the bar. Our other New York restaurants will make this change over the course of the next year," wrote Danny, who has appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef Season 10. "Once these changes are implemented, the total cost you pay to dine with us won’t differ much from what you pay now. But for our teams, the change will be significant. We will now have the ability to compensate all of our employees equitably, competitively, and professionally. And by eliminating tipping, our employees who want to grow financially and professionally will be able to earn those opportunities based on the merit of their work."
Back in September, Tom implemented a similar policy for lunchtime service at Craft. "It's time for a change. It's time to pay the servers a salary," he told Eater at the time.
Relive Danny's Top Chef appearance below.
