Wild Goats in Kent is once again accepting tips

Kent’s Wild Goats restaurant has abandoned its no-tipping policy, opting instead to return to a more traditional dining experience.

The Portager reported on the experiment back in August 2023.

The about-face, which happened a few months ago, was rooted in difficulty replacing wait staff when a large number of servers graduated and moved away last spring, said Wild Goats Manager Brianna Weaver.

“We had a hard time getting new people to take their places because a lot of servers weren’t comfortable with not making tips,” she said.

Though it depends on the day, servers now report making more money, especially on weekends, she said.

Wild Goats’ prices, previously inflated to account for the no-tipping policy, have ratcheted back down for some items.

A veggie burger, fries and a soft drink that totaled $18.47 in the summer of 2023 now runs at $15.48. A chicken salad and iced tea only dropped slightly, from $20.48 to $19.98.

“We couldn’t lower them an extraordinary amount because of how expensive everything is right now with our handlers,” Weaver said.

Wild Goats’ kitchen staff continue to be paid on an hourly basis and share a percentage of sales.

The restaurant is located at 319 W. Main St., across from the Kent Free Library.