This Capitol Hill coffee shop could be the start of a new Seattle trend tipping

Fuel Coffee has reintroduced tipping at its three Seattle locations as a response to rising coffee prices and the upcoming minimum wage increase to $21. 30. The chain, which eliminated tipping in 2020, found that raising prices alone would not allow them to pay employees competitively while remaining viable. Ownership emphasized their commitment to employee wages, guaranteeing that all staff will earn at least their current wages through the end of November. They also plan to reassess the situation by December 2025 to ensure staff are adequately compensated.

This move may indicate a larger trend among Seattle service businesses as they adapt to inflationary pressures and increased wage demands. Notably, this comes a decade after the initial shift away from tipping in the city's food and drink sector. The reopening of tipping practices could reshape customer expectations and business strategies. Fuel Coffee's decision underscores ongoing debates about fair labor practices and economic sustainability in Seattle's evolving restaurant landscape.