Yet another local restaurant chain is moving to mandatory gratuities

SEATTLE – There’s more bad news if you hate tipping – another Puget Sound restaurant chain announced it will be including a gratuity on your bill.

Beginning March 21, El Gaucho Seattle and AQUA by El Gaucho will include a 20 percent service charge, as well as complimentary valet service.

“This change ensures that our team will thrive, our guests will continue to receive an outstanding experience and our company is well positioned for the future,” El Gaucho president Chad Mackay said in a statement.

In January, the Ram made a similar decision, adding an automatic 19 percent gratuity to checks. Last year, Ivar’s raised wages to $15 an hour and dropped tipping altogether.

Additional gratuities will be accepted but not expected, the press release said.