Many restaurants are expected to follow suit because of a new Internal Revenue Service ruling that treats automatic gratuities as wages.
That could lead to higher payroll taxes for restaurants and make record-keeping for the restaurants more complicated.
Smokey Bones Bar and Fire Grill and Tony Roma’s, which bases its operations in Orlando, have done away with automatic tips as well.
Other Orlando-based chains, including Buca di Beppo, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, did not respond to questions about automatic gratuities.
Dunkin’ Donuts tests program
Orlando is one of four markets in the country to test an enhanced Dunkin’ Donuts loyalty program, which the doughnut chain will launch nationally early next year.
Customers can earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases, when they pay using a Dunkin’ Donuts card or with a mobile app. Customers who accrue 200 points receive coupons for free medium beverages.
Also, Dunkin’ Donuts recently opened a location in Phillips Crossing at 8015 Turkey Lake Road, with a look that is new for the doughnut chain.
The store has outdoor patio seating and orange pendant lamps. It also has a new digital menu board system comprised of four LCD monitors, free Wifi, and TV sets.
More cupcake shops opening
B Cupcakes has opened at 127 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park. It has a milk bar. Customers can wash down their cupcakes with regular, soy and almond milks, along with flavors that include Irish cream, toasted marshmallow, vanilla, gingerbread, chocolate mint, white chocolate and salted caramel.
A 12-ounce serving of milk ranges from $1.50 to $3.
Meanwhile, Sugar Divas Cakery LLC – another cupcake baker – plans to open in SoDo in January. NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new agreement for 1,370 square feet of space in the center at 25 W. Crystal Lake St. Sugar Divas will have a café and cake decorating classes.
Orlando gets first East Coast Wings
East Coast Wings Grill, a North Carolina-based casual dining restaurant chain known for its 75 varieties of award-winning buffalo-style wings, opened its first Florida restaurant this month at 588 S. Alafaya Trail in Orlando.
The new restaurant is the first location owned by NBA basketball player Quentin Richardson, a former member of the Orlando Magic.
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