Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

Over the last month I've been involved with two events done by two different non profit organizations.
Both catering halls charged a 10% administrative fee. One organization tipped another $400, the other one didn't tip anything. Is the administrative fee in lieu of a tip? just wondering which is the "correct" way.

Message edited 11/21/2018 9:16:38 AM.

Re: Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

I recently planned a party at a catering hall and when i was looking around at different places they all charge an admin fee and it specifically states in the contract that it's NOT a gratuity. And then it listed their "suggested" gratuity amounts.

Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

it is not a tip. I really hate that more and more places are charging the admin fee!

Re: Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

It's not a tip. You tip on top of that. 20%.

Re: Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

Anyone familiar with tipping at catering halls for corp/nonprofit events/

No matter how any catering hall, event establishment or restaurant tries to spin it, the adminstrative fee is NOT a tip or gratuity. It is literally money padded into the contract that goes to the bottom line. It doesn't cover supplying, staffing, or any of that. They SAY it does, and in a very convoluted and minimal way it may, but not directly. And legally it can be very gray so they are purposely vague.

You are still expected to tip on top of that unless it is expressly written into your contract that there is a "no tip policy" or "no gratuities" accepted. Legally companies cannot even say the staff is paid a higher hourly wage and therefore not expecting tips, etc.

How much to tip usually either a percentage of the total contract or a dollar amount PER guest.