Shop owner in Bountiful explains why she doesn’t allow tipping

SALT LAKE CITY — Tipping is not a river in China. It’s also not allowed at a Bountiful bagel shop.

The shop is called Cheryl’s Bagels, and owner Cheryl Mignone told KSL NewsRadio that tipping at a bagel shop just isn’t appropriate. So, it’s not allowed.

 

Where (and where not) to consider tipping

Mignone is a native of New Jersey. She opened her shop because she couldn’t fly to the East Coast and buy bagels whenever she wanted.

And she couldn’t find what she wanted here.

“I couldn’t find a recipe that works because we were in high altitude. So I toiled during COVID for six months. And when I got it and replicated what I grew up with, I’m like OK, this is the recipe.”

She opened her shop, but then started getting questions from customers about a top jar, and where it was. Mignone also turned off the tipping option on her credit card machines.

Counter service does not warrant gratuity, she says.

“I don’t think that’s an appropriate setting to ask for a tip,” she said. ” . . . Yes, it’s very appropriate at sit-down restaurants. You should continue to tip. People’s jobs are based on receiving tips.”

Workers valued, despite no tipping

In case anybody wonders, Mignone said tipping was never a factor in paying her employees who she says are paid well.

“I wasn’t looking for customers to make up paying them. So they’re all paid very well. I’ve . . . gone around and asked a couple of places and found that I’m actually probably paying better than a lot of other places. I really value them.”

Spread the word

For customers who insist on tipping, she asks for word-of-mouth advertising instead of money.

“I say to them, ‘If you want to give us a tip . . . please spread the word. Share them if you love them. And my joke is always: If you hate them, keep your mouth shut, and they always laugh.”

Good neighbor

Mignone said her goal was not about making money but rather being a valued part of the community.

“My goal in opening this shop was to build relationships with the community. . . I am thrilled seeing regular customers and people who make me part of their lives by calling me and asking me to make bagels for baby-namings or christenings or baptisms and things like that,” she said.

Related: Bountiful bagel shop no longer accepting tips, letting customers “off the hook”

Dave & Dujanovic can be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app, as well as Apple Podcasts and Google Play.