Tipping Not Expected for Servers at Some Restaurants

This evening, my family went to dinner to celebrate my cousin's birthday.  It was a group of more than 10. So, I was quite surprised when our tickets came with totals that didn't include a gratuity. Of course, we were expected to tip our server, but there are some places across the country where tipping is not expected of customers.

At one such eatery, the minimum wage for servers is $15 per hour.  This is covered by a 20 percent administrative fee, which could be viewed as an automatic gratuity, but it does away with the idea of restricting payment from a server for what was deemed to be bad service.  Because some people tip the same percentage each time they dine out, some servers have found it the best way a server can guarantee a night of good tips is to increase the number of customers served each night by turning tables, even if it causes poorer service.

How do you think this would affect your dining decisions?  Would you be more apt to eat at a place where the servers were reasonably compensated or one where they feel the need to hustle for fair to optimal wages? Most people consider a standard tip to be 15 percent but tip more for outstanding service.  Is a 20 percent administrative fee too much if it could possibly increase the quality of the service you receive? Let us know what you think.