Tipping culture can be a minefield at the best of times, but South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker have made sure nobody at their restaurant feels awkward about it by getting rid of it altogether.
In the US more so than most other countries, tipping is customary when receiving good service, largely also due to the fact that servers' wages are often below the minimum wage, so many rely on gratuities to earn a living.
This practice has often been divisive, with many arguing that establishments should pay a fair wage and that customers shouldn't feel obliged to leave tips every time unless the service is top-notch.
Stone and Parker have done just that with their new venture, having recently taken over the iconic Mexican eatery and entertainment venue, Casa Bonita, where they've brought in a new system getting rid of tipping and instead paying servers $30 an hour.
Nestled in Lakewood, Colorado, Casa Bonita is a 52,000 square-foot venue with a storied history stretching back nearly half a century. Its eclectic features, such as live indoor cliff diving and the immersive walkthrough experience in Black Bart's Cave, led the Denver Gazette to laud it as the "Disneyland of Mexican restaurants."
The celebrated South Park duo became the owners of Casa Bonita in 2021, stepping in when the establishment was on the brink of bankruptcy following Covid-19 pandemic-related shutdowns. According to the Gazette, Stone and Parker acquired the venue for a cool $3.1 million. They've since invested a whopping $40 million into extensive renovations and improvements to enhance the dining experience.
Currently in its soft launch phase, the restaurant operates under limited dining hours as it "beta tests" various elements. Prospective patrons can sign up for a mailing list for the chance to purchase tickets to experience the revamped Casa Bonita.
When asked about the new compensation structure, Casa Bonita didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from FOX Business. However, a spokesperson previously told FOX 31 KDVR that the decision was based on observed customer behavior during the soft-opening nights. They shared: "During our soft-opening nights, we found that guests simply weren't tipping. We believe it's due to our unconventional, pre-pay ticketing system."
With the new model in place, wait staff earn a consistent, higher-than-average wage, as the spokesperson elaborated: "In order to provide a higher-than-average, dependable wage, we shifted to a no-tipping model and doubled the hourly rate to more than $30/hr for our service staff. This shift also benefits our guests, who can enjoy Casa Bonita without incurring unexpected costs."
With the new pay structure in place, the majority of the 256 employees seem content, with only two expressing dissatisfaction. KDVR highlights that at $30 per hour, Casa Bonita staff would be earning more than the median wage across all professions in Colorado, which the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported was $26.01 as of May 2022.
The South Park creators have a longstanding affection for Casa Bonita, immortalized in an episode from the show's seventh season. The episode, fittingly titled 'Casa Bonita', aired in 2003 and showcased many of the restaurant's unique features when the South Park boys attended a birthday party there.
