I totally disagree. It sounds like the owner respects his waitstaff, and I would expect that they will return the favor through increased loyatly / work ethic. He stood up for his employees; good for him.
You are free to do so, of course. It comes down to whether one views a tip as voluntary or mandatory. If we don't agree on the basic premise, there's no point in discussing it.
The owner is free, of course, to follow any policy he pleases. In this case, I think posting the policy would be appropriate.
If he doesn't want to, then I would question his motive...and his honesty. He obviously does not view it as voluntary.
I call it a sense of entitlement. What would you call it, when wait staff adds their own tip onto the ticket...twice?
I think there's no other word for it...and an inappropriate sense of entitlement is a flag flown by losers and looters. It's poison to individuals and to societies.
I understand the guy goes there to visit friends. It seems to me that tipping may be the price of admission. If he chooses not to, it's a simple decision; it's not proof of moral decay or defect. I am amazed at the name calling and invective aimed at him.