New Providence restaurant to eliminate tipping, charge fee
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A new restaurant in Providence is charging customers a fee to eliminate tipping and pay employees a higher wage.
Husband and wife restaurant owners Massimiliano and Alethia Mariotta say they want to make sure all of their employees make a living wage.
Customers at their new restaurant Rosmarin at Hotel Providence will pay a 22 percent fee. Their restaurant Vinya in downtown Providence already has a no-tipping policy.
All employees will make between $12 and $15 an hour without tips. The state minimum tipped wage is $3.39 an hour and the minimum wage is $8.64 an hour.
The Mariottas say they won't get a cut of the 22 percent fee. Instead it will go to paying employees.
They say customers tell them they enjoy not having to calculate a tip.
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