Like the FIFA World Cup continues in cities across the United States, some Residents of these cities have problems.
First, many find it difficult to actually do that navigate their city now that the Games are underway. For example, one woman said to the police temporarily closed the road to her house because of the games. Others have complained about it transit prices during the games.
Now, one Atlanta, Georgia resident has documented a new World Cup-related issue: mysterious restaurant costs.
What is this charge?
In one video with over 94,000 views, TikTok user Diamond (@vvs.thebrand) shows off a strange charge she received while at a restaurant in the city.
“Bro, I can’t make this up,” she begins. “Only in Atlanta!”
Then she shows the bill. Below the subtotal there will be a 20% surcharge labeled ‘FIFA’.
“FIFA? FIFA. Why?” she asks. “I’m here for Taco Tuesday and I pay for FIFA? I’m not at FIFA.”
She continues as she gestures around the restaurant: “This doesn’t look like FIFA. Why am I paying for FIFA?”
The restaurant is Geen Mas! Cantina in Atlanta, Georgia.
Are restaurants really charging FIFA fees?
It appears that these automatic FIFA fees are real, even if Diamond does not pay “for FIFA,” as she might assume.
According to Fox Newsthese fees are not necessarily an attempt by restaurants to make money from the FIFA World Cup. Instead, some restaurants are choose to implement these fees due to the large number of foreign visitors.
For context, while tipping occurs in many countries around the world, the United States is unique in that tips make up the majority of server wages. In many other countries a server is paid for by their employer. In many US states, an employer can pay an employee only $2.13 per hourwith tips from customers making up the rest of their wages.
Foreigners visiting the country may not be familiar with this system. Because they are used to paying what is on their bill, they may view a tip as optional, or only a small percentage. To ensure their employees are still paid, some restaurants near World Cup hotspots have decided to stop paying their staff directly and instead automatically charge customers a tip.
The Fox News article notes that other restaurants are taking a different approach. For example, some have posted signs explaining American tipping culture and telling visitors how much to tip.
Is this legal?
In an email: No Mas! Cantina Director of Operations Melody Voirin explained how the policy came about.
“We started this policy on the first World Cup match day after opening weekend, when several of our long-time servers reported that many international visitors were either leaving a 1-2% tip or not tipping at all,” Voirin wrote. “As a restaurant just steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, we have welcomed guests from all over the world, and we simply wanted to protect the livelihoods of our wait staff and their families, many of whom have been with us for years and put in countless extra hours during the tournament. The automatic gratuity will be applied to all guest checks during this temporary period, not just guests attending games.”
Speak with 11ALIVENo Mas Cantina owner Stephen MacNeil offered additional comments.
“People who come from other countries, their tips are built in, and they just don’t know our system here,” he explained. “They’re not trying to be rude, and we just want to keep it simple for everyone,” noting that “80 to 90 percent” of servers’ revenue comes from tips. MacNeil added that the FIFA fee would be abolished on July 15.
Can it be removed?
Still, some will look at this arrangement and wonder whether it is legal to automatically charge customers a FIFA fee.
Although problems can arise if charges are not clearly stated before ordering, automatic tips are generally legal. Technically this isn’t a tip, just one service costs. This means that it cannot necessarily be removed from the bill by asking the restaurant. Voirin noted in her email, “We also want our guests to know that if they ever feel that the service they received does not warrant the automatic 20% gratuity, they are encouraged to speak to a manager. We are always happy to assess the situation and, if necessary, rescind the gratuity.”
Voirin further clarified that the receipts no longer read “FIFA” and that “we have updated the wording on our receipts to ‘Tip Included’, and we apologize for any misunderstandings the original label may have caused.”
“The entire 20% tip goes directly to the server assigned to that table,” she added. “It is not kept by the restaurant.”
Diners don’t like it
In the comments section, users shared their complaints about this practice.
“That should be illegal,” one user stated.
“Okay, most other countries don’t recognize tipping. But the right way to handle this is to temporarily increase wages during the FIFA period, not to charge customers,” said another.
“I don’t even watch sports, they should turn that back,” said a third.
BroBible contacted Diamond via TikTok and a direct message on Instagram.
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