IT better be printed in huge letters on the front cover of the menu or is should not count legally. Who reads every fine print in a menu? There is so much of it. Things like “Add a side salad for” “substitute for” When I see it on the front cover then I can say no thanks before ordering. And it people chose to pay it it is still not a tip because it did not ensure anything. It is not based on the quality of service.
It’s printed on every page of their menu - “Parties of 8+ are subject to 20% gratuity”. They also charge 4% to use a credit card, rather than eat the CC fee themselves.
https://www.crazycajunbeaumont.com/menu/
Unless they’ve been living in a cave for the past couple decades, I can’t see anyone not knowing that this is an industry standard practice in the USA.
Personally, I don’t like the practice, but talk to a restaurant owner. Large parties are a burden. They tend to stay almost twice as long as they typical customer, taking up money making seats. They are much more demanding of staff, require more attention, and are loud. There is always at least 1 person who can’t be satisfied, no matter what amends are made.