Restaurant chain bans diners from using card payments to tip staff

Ping Pong introduces 15% ‘brand charge’ months before new law will ensure workers get full share of tips

A London restaurant chain has banned customers from paying a tip by card and introduced a “brand” fee instead, just three months before new legislation makes it compulsory to give all tips to staff.

Ping Pong, which operates five dim sum outlets, said the new optional 15% charge would go towards “franchise fees and other brand related expenditure”, and replace a 12.5% service charge, 90% of which went to staff.