Patriot Place Restaurants Mull Mandatory Tips During World Cup Matches

Patriot Place restaurants in Foxborough are discussing a potential mandatory tip of about 20% on World Cup match days to help compensate serving staff at the dining establishments.

One host spoke with Boston 25 News about an experience with tipping from international visitors during the recent friendly match at Gillette Stadium. 

“It was like a lot of the servers weren't getting tipped, which is understandable because they don't understand how tipping culture works here. They think that it's included in the bill because it is in a lot of places outside of the U.S., but not here,” Sebastian Zerpa explained.

Some servers who spoke with Boston 25 News, like Chelsey Hernandez, argue that tipping culture should be honored and that staff deserve a guaranteed gratuity during high-traffic events like the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

“As long as it is posted, and the consumer is told about it beforehand, then I think that's completely fair,” Hernandez said.

A spokesperson for Patriot Place confirmed with Boston 25 News that the decision to include a mandatory tip on match days is up to each establishment. It is not a proposal issued by Patriot Place or FIFA.

No definitive decision has been made in the matter.