It's due to the chip readers.
The companies that run the chip readers put a default tipping option in their platforms. The chipreaders get a percentage of everything charged, and they push for tips as they get more money that way.
Ultimately, it's not about providing additional wages for baristas or counter service workers, etc. It's about a company who hosts chip reader devices wanting more money.
You don't have to tip. Unless you're being waited on inside a restaurant, just say no. No tip for counter-work, for pouring me a black coffee, or handing me a togo bag.
A lot of restaurants have moved towards a default 18% gratuity rather than raising their prices, to save on taxes. As apparently, the company has to pay less in taxes on tips rather than wage. We don't go to those restaurants. If you can't afford to pay your employees a living wage, including paying your share of employment taxes that go along with it, you do not have a viable business.
The only people that support tipping culture are the minority of tip workers who benefit from the system. Most tipped workers do not benefit from tipping culture. There are a handful that do, but even then, the pay isn't consistent. You're not making Saturday night rush money on a slow tuesday morning. These tip workers also benefit by committing tax fraud by not claiming their tips. If the only way you make “good money” is by committing tax fraud, there is a huge problem.
Oh you just don't get it
I worked FOH in the service industry for 11 years as a bartender and server. I have a degree in business. It's the tipping workers who defend this who don't get it. Tipping culture is predatory on the workers, on our state infrastructure paid for by the tax system, and on the customers.
Remember who the enemy is here. It's not your fellow man. It's those who own capital.