I guess I must be stupid. Is it easier to serve 6 different people at 6+ different tables with 6+ separate checks, than to serve 6+ people at a single table with a single check (or even multiple checks)?
Same meals, same menu, same prep, same drinks - they are just condensed into a tigher space. If 25 people require more support, then you adjust your wait staff to accomodate. It isn’t rocket science.
Seems to me, that a group of 5+ is much easier, requires less legwork, less paperwork, less space and less confustion than individuals.
Now, a resturant is free to have any policy they want; however in my experience, the number of people at a table is not “clearly written on the menu”, it’s usually in small print at the bottom of the menu. It’s on the menu, but specifically designed to be over-looked by the casual observer.
My policy is simple - my wife and I often agree on a tip, and as tips go we are in the 15-40% range. Our policy is this - if there is a minimum tip, that’s what they get. If they don’t force the issue, we often tip more. But, for this we expect a few basic services, like not having to track our servicer down to refill our water/soda.
The minimum number for the auto tip to kick in, or even the appropriateness of same is a different question.
I’m with you. If the tip is auto applied at a specific percentage, that’s all they get. I routinely tip higher than than number when it is my choice. Rarely less than 20%.
A large party requires more co-ordination in getting the appetizers out at the same time, the main course, the desserts - some of that is the chef’s responsibility of course. Large parties tend to sit longer - a single diner might be out in an hour, a couple in 90 minutes, a large group in two hours - fewer sittings, fewer tips.
If you have six small tables and one of them stiffs you and five tip, that’s not so bad. If you have a large table and they stiff you, that really hurts, because you’re getting paid $2 an hour by the restaurant. The IRS assumes you got tipped 7% of your checks - a table that ran up a check of $200 stiffs you, the IRS taxes you on $14.