Sushi Yasuda, a New York City Japanese restaurant, is in the headlines for its ban on tipping. Restaurant servers nationwide can all complain about instances of poor-tipping patrons, who fail to realize that the gratuity helps cover the low wages most servers receive.
At Sushi Yasuda, though, they have turned the volatile tipping system upside down. This restaurant bans tips. Instead, they pay the servers a salary, replete with health benefits as well as paid time off.
Sushi Yasuda's co-founder, Scott Rosenberg explained the policy to ABC News. "The diner doesn't [have to] think about how much to leave and make calculations [after] a contemplative and special meal ... We're really sort of just staying connected to that classical approach [of fine Japanese dining]."
On each patron's check there is a message at the bottom that reads: "Following the custom in Japan, Sushi Yasuda's service staff are fully compensated by their salary. Therefore gratuities are not accepted. Thank you."
Daisy Chung, executive director for Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York believes in Sushi Yasuda's approach, calling it a "good idea." "It started a good conversation about tips and restaurant compensation, Chung said. "We definitely feel there shouldn't be a separate system where tip workers rely on tips to subsidize their wage. Workers should be fully compensated."
That compensation was another huge factor in the restaurant's decision to go tip-free, according to Rosenberg. Your service staff, for those who want to pursue that as an ongoing career, they have stability, they become part of a family and that's special," Rosenberg said. "You have to be all in if you're a salaried professional. It also attracts people who are more serious about being a part of that craft and being a part of that journey."
Eric Asimov, a food reviewer wrote this about Sushi Yasuda in 2011: "Anything with the potential to divert attention from the food itself has been minimized or eliminated. The effect is to be transported to a calm sanctuary where one may experience sushi artistically, pleasurably and, dare I say, spiritually."
Well everything except tipping. Until now.
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