Should You Tip When Picking Up Takeout?

The modern foodie’s guide on takeout, tips, and etiquette in a post-COVID world

Co-authored by Eric McClure

Last Updated: February 27, 2023 References

Do you tip for takeout?

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How Much to Tip on Takeout

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The Case for Tipping

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The Arguments against Tipping

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Etiquette and Adjusting Your Tip

You go to pick up your takeout order and the cashier flips that tablet around and there it is—they’re asking for a tip. Are you going to violate social norms if you don’t hit the right percentage? Are you even supposed to hit one of those tip buttons? You’re not alone if you’re confused, and the COVID pandemic certainly made this complex question even more complicated. Luckily, we’re here to make sense of the issue for you. In this article, we’ll cover what the social norms are these days, cover the case for and against tipping, and help you figure out how much you should tip if you choose to do so.

Things You Should Know

Most people tip service workers for takeout nowadays, but there’s no formal rule or expectation that you add gratuity.
People who tip do so because service workers rely on tips to make a liveable wage and the restaurant still has to do work to prep your order.
Folks who don’t tip believe they’re doing a lot of the work for the restaurant for them and the waitstaff aren’t performing the tasks you'd normally tip for.
For takeout, most people tip 10-15%, although it’s totally up to you.

Section 1 of 5:

Do you tip for takeout?

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These days, most people tip service workers for takeout. The COVID-19 pandemic was especially hard for workers in the food industry. To help them out, a lot of people tipped when they went to pick up their takeout orders, even if they wouldn’t normally. That standard has seemed to stick with us, and most customers dip into their pockets for a few extra bucks when they pick up takeout these days.^{[1]
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- There are definitely still people out there who don’t tip for takeout, so if you come to the conclusion here that it’s not worth tipping, that’s totally okay.
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There’s no concrete rule that says you’re expected to tip. If you don’t tip after you’ve received wonderful sit-down service, the waitstaff might be a bit peeved. However, that’s not the case with takeout. The workers usually don't expect a tip the same way they would for normal service.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

How Much to Tip on Takeout

Most people tip around 10-15% but you can tip more if you’d like. Don’t worry about sticking to the 20% rule when you’re grabbing takeout. However, if you really want to show your appreciation or the bill only came out to $10-20, it might make sense to increase your tip to 20% or more. It’s totally up to you and what you think the restaurant deserves, though.^{[3]
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Section 3 of 5:

The Case for Tipping

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Food service workers rely on tips to make a living. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 an hour, which doesn’t add up to much of a paycheck. As such, a lot of people tip for takeout to ensure that their local servers can make a decent living.^{[4]
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- Yes, you can make a very solid argument that restaurants should pay a living wage, but to some people, that’s not a good excuse for not tipping.
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A lot of work goes into preparing a takeout order. The restaurant still has to receive your order, cook your food, package it up, and prepare it on time. Short of a server bringing you a drink and clearing your table, it’s basically the same service you normally get at a restaurant. For a lot of people, that justifies a tip.^{[5]
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- Unlike sit-down service where mistakes can be corrected, the workers have to get your order right the first time when you order takeout. This means there’s added pressure on the staff that may be worth additional compensation.
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It’s usually a server packing your food up. When you sit down at a restaurant, you’re tipping the server for doing a good job bringing you your meal. But when you order takeout, who is bringing you the bag your food is in? In most restaurants, it’s one of the server’s jobs to expedite the food. The fact that the food is packaged doesn't change anything.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 5:

The Arguments against Tipping

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You’re doing a lot of the restaurant’s job for them. You’re the one supplying the order, getting in your car, and going out of your way to physically pick the food up. You’d normally tip a delivery driver, but you’re the delivery person in this case! You pay for the food, but you could make the argument that you’re the one performing the tippable service.^{[7]
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All of the real work is taking place in the kitchen. You tip servers, not the kitchen. When you order takeout, most of the work is performed by workers in the kitchen. The front of the house is just putting boxes in a bag and taking payment.^{[8]
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- Customized work deserves a unique tip, but takeout is a procedural process for the restaurant. They’re not doing anything unique specifically for you.
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The service you tip for isn’t being performed. What is the tip for, anyway? The tough part of waiting on customers is juggling the multiple tables, ensuring everybody gets what they want, and solving problems on the fly. Since none of that is happening, it’s reasonable to skip the tip.^{[9]
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Section 5 of 5:

Etiquette and Adjusting Your Tip

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Fast (and fast-ish) food establishments may not merit a tip. A lot of people will tip sit-down restaurants when they order takeout, but not at quick pickup-style restaurants designed around takeout.^{[10]
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Research source} This includes fast food joints, as well as bakeries, quick bite spots, and other counter-service shops.^{[11]
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- Servers at a sit-down spot make $2.13 an hour and rely on tips to live. The workers at a fast (or fast-ish) food establishment typically earn a normal hourly wage.
- Examples of these fast-ish food countertop spots include places like Chipotle, Boston Market, or hole-in-the-wall pizza shops.
2
Treat a flip-screen payment tablet the same as an optional tip jar. If you get an awkward, anxious feeling when a service worker flips an iPad around and there are buttons for tips, you’re not alone. Rest assured that you’re not in trouble if you don’t tip here—this is just a digital version of a tip jar. Whether you tip in these situations is entirely up to you; there are no right or wrong answers.^{[12]
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Consider tipping if the order is complicated or large. Even if you normally don’t tip for takeout, it’s probably warranted if you’re grabbing a huge order. If you’re picking up a ton of food for a family reunion or a big office party, the restaurant put in more work than they normally do and they probably earned your tip.^{[13]
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- You may want to tip if you had a super specific or complicated meal.
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Weigh whether you’re supporting a local business or not. If you ordered takeout from your local corner tavern, you might have it in your heart to throw a tip in even if you normally wouldn’t. It’s always good to look out for your neighborhood small business!^{[14]
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