Applebee's Car Side to Go - Tip or Not?

[onlyoneforme]

Has anyone used the Applebee's CarSide to Go option before? Do you tip the "server" or not? And if so...how much? :confused3

[gigi1313]

we used it last weekend for the first time... it's decent food w/drivethru convenience (now i just have to store the phone number in my onstar speed dial! LOL!) and we did tip a few bucks... certainly not the standard 15-20% that we would tip a waittress, but somewhere between 7-10% (basically just rounded the dollar amount to make it easy)

[OceanAnnie]

We don't tip for curbside service. To us that's one of the advantages of curbside service. (That goes for Applebees, Outback and Olive Garden.)

[jekjones1558]

We give a couple of bucks, maybe more if it's raining, snowing, etc. I don't think it's necessary, just a nice thing to do.

[umaangel00]

It is not necessary but we have done it as well. They are taking their time to go out to your car and give you your food.

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I have always tipped for curbside service, at Applebee's, and Uno's. That is the only 2 I have tried.

It's well worth a tip, to keep from dragging the kids out in the cold, or rain. As the other's have posted, I don't tip 20%, but rather about $1.00, per item, just as I do with pizza delivery at home.

[littlestix]

I've used applebees and outback. I always tip them and it's usually somewhere around 10% or more. I love thefact that I don't have to get my son out of car get the food then put him back in. When I want good take-out I will always pick 1 of these restaurants. I wish more of them (like Joe's Crab Shack) would offer this service.

[mamalle]

I always tip like $2.00 for curbside

[welovedis]

Curbside is now so popular here (one side of the bldg is reserved for curbside parking) that we have to get out of the car and walk into the little enclosed area to pick up the food. I don't tip there at all. If they come out to the car at least 1-2 dollars but that is usually it.

[my3kids]

I tip. Probably about $5.00.

[billysarmywife]

We do not tip............I really never thought about it to be honest!

[mrsmom]

My daughter is actually a Carside-To Go server. It is very common that people do not tip her however she is just like a regular waitress; she puts the food together, has to deal with the cooks in the back, answers the phone and takes the orders, and if the food isn't cooked right or there is any problem, she is the one that has to answer to that and many times it is not her fault but this IS just like a server in a restuarant. She makes a lot of her money through tips and people don't realize that. It's her only real source of income and this is paying for college. Currently, she only makes about $14 in tips A DAY. So, think about this next time you call for To Go service. I always have tipped any place well that puts my orders together and I just think it's common courtesy that everyone does the same. Karma!
Kim

[FayeW]

I always have tipped any place well that puts my orders together and I just think it's common courtesy that everyone does the same. Karma!
Kim

Isn't that what you are paying the menu price for???

[mrsmom]

Isn't that what you are paying the menu price for???

I think I'm a little confused by your response. My daughter doesn't get any money from the menu price. She's like any waitress; they live off of their tips.
Kim :banana:

[bridget&jimmy]

I have to agree I work for Applebees and the To Go Servers make very little money per hour and just like servers rely on tips as there income. They are doing just as much work as the regular servers and even a little more because they have to prepare the food to go.

[Karibeth19]

My daughter is actually a Carside-To Go server. It is very common that people do not tip her however she is just like a regular waitress; she puts the food together, has to deal with the cooks in the back, answers the phone and takes the orders, and if the food isn't cooked right or there is any problem, she is the one that has to answer to that and many times it is not her fault but this IS just like a server in a restuarant. She makes a lot of her money through tips and people don't realize that. It's her only real source of income and this is paying for college. Currently, she only makes about $14 in tips A DAY. So, think about this next time you call for To Go service. I always have tipped any place well that puts my orders together and I just think it's common courtesy that everyone does the same. Karma!
Kim

I have to agree with Mrsmom. My husband is a restaurant GM and I know that the servers who are assigned to work to-go do not have any tables they are working at the same time, so if they are not tipped by the people they serve through the to-go, they won't make any money at all. Servers are paid well below minimum wage, with the assumption that tips will make up for, or exceed, the difference. If you have received good service from a server, you should definitely leave a tip, regardless if you have been served at a table, or through to-go. (Even if you have to get out and go in to pick it up!! It doesn't matter how the restaurant sets up its to-go service, the servers deserve at tip if they give good service!).

[piglet33]

We always tip them, because they are still waiting on you.

[ZebraStripes]

I've never used curbside service before....is it cash only, or can you use debit/credit cards also?

[Hey|Crazy|Beautiful]

I've never used curbside service before....is it cash only, or can you use debit/credit cards also?


I'm mrsmom's daughter. As stated previously, the pay isn't great at all .. we do live off of tips. Where a server can only be seated so many times at once, there is no limit to the orders we can get at once. Just the other day I had 10 orders come in within a 30 minute period. I was scrambling around the kitchen trying to make sure every order was correct and believe me .. it was not easy! The orders weren't exactly minimal. Tips are very very much appreciated .. it just shows us that you are happy with the service and that we are doing our job correctly to suit you. I worked a double shift on Monday and within that time period I only made about $9 in tips. lol That's definitely not wonderful at all. There are also times where the cooks screw up the order and I get blasted by the guest that ordered it .. it's very stressful on me and to be honest I nearly broke down at work once. So just to echo my mom and other people in this thread, please tip your curbside server .. it makes my job so much better and worthwhile.

BTW, Applebee's accepts all payments except for personal checks.

[BethR]

As stated previously, the pay isn't great at all .. we do live off of tips.

Thanks for chiming in on this thread. :)
Could you clarify something for me? Do the curbside servers get the same very low hourly wage as the inside wait staff gets? The pay that is way below minimum wage and the tips make up most of the pay? Or do the curbside servers get at least minimum wage and the tips supplement it?

Thanks! :)

[Hey|Crazy|Beautiful]

Thanks for chiming in on this thread. :)
Could you clarify something for me? Do the curbside servers get the same very low hourly wage as the inside wait staff gets? The pay that is way below minimum wage and the tips make up most of the pay? Or do the curbside servers get at least minimum wage and the tips supplement it?

Thanks! :)

Well once my mom let me know that there was a thread about this, I really couldn't stop myself. lol

We do get paid minimum wage, however we don't have as many hours as the waitresses get. There are only certain hours for it (at least at my location) so I get about $21 a day whereas servers can come home with around $100 per night. What I make in a week is what they make in a day or so. So although our salary in paycheck IS better, we still struggle along. I would be a server however I'm only 18 and you must be 19. Tips are supposed to make up for our minimal hours and wage however they really don't. I have to pay bills and I'm barely making it. I owe my parents some money, actually.

[Karibeth19]

I know the problem my DH had at his old restaurant where they did a hefty to-go business was that even though the servers who worked to-go did get paid higher wages than those working the dining room, he had a hard time scheduling people to work to-go, because in the end, they did not make nearly the same money. (His restaurant did not have specific to-go servers; they just would schedule one or two regular servers a shift to work to-go.) Few of them wanted to work the counter because they knew they wouldn't make the kind of money they could make if they were serving tables. Even being paid a higher wage, it just doesn't even out for these poor kids if they don't get tips. Since it's my DH's business and I get to know his servers pretty well, this is an issue near to my heart. Please tip ALL your servers for good service! :flower:

[Kellydelly]

I figured the carside servers weren't making the same money as regular waitstaff! I used to be a hostess in a restaurant and had to take care of togo orders. So any tips I made doing that were just "gravy" on top of my regular pay. I don't think anyone should imply here that those carside servers are relying on tips like regular waiters. If you are making minimum wage then you are already getting paid to do the job. JMHO. I don't know if my husband tips or not when he gets food from these restaurants (he's always the one picking it up). I don't think it should be thought of as required. I sure wouldn't tip a full $5, maybe just a buck. If I want to pay a $5 or better tip I will go in and get waited on ;) .

[disneychrista]

I agree if the To Go "servers" are paid full minimum wage then tipping shouldn't be thought of as required. If they do not getting enough hours to get by, then they need to look for another job, JMO.

[mrsmom]

Then you will get people who will serve you your food ,that you would rather not like it to be handled by.JMO
Kim

[Hygiene99]

Just another job ... you need to talk to Applebees and Have the job pay more.
Is my first thought. Union would be Great..



Ok so some think, tips on top of what you are paid would Be great..

So that would be money that Uncle Sam probably has no record of ?
If AppleBees is payying the rate for the job why would they keep track of money earned in the posistion costing them more ? Do They ? for taxes ?

What about all the Other people who work , at Jobs that pay that rate ?

do they recieve Tips also ? Kripsy Kreme ?


ok Just my .02

We always tip a couple of bucks.. just the way we are.. you almost Feel Obligated to do this why ? Society..

But also feel that if a Company wants to advertise a service for it customers that they should provide a decent wage for the employees that do the service. If it is an after thought not built in to the design of the Restaurants
then people have to go outside instead of a window.. either way they are paid the Rate.

AppleBees Guest relations Say's that It is not Required that you tip the Employee.

Peter

[BethR]

We will not allow this thread to turn into a debate.
I think that it is important for people to know the facts and then base their tipping habits upon those facts.
If the thread turns nasty, it will be closed.

Thank You.

[Kellydelly]

Well the subject of this thread is a debate, it started as one. Do you or do you not tip for curbside service and why or why not? I don't think it's getting nasty :confused3 ? It's just a thread getting different people's opinions.

[BethR]

Has anyone used the Applebee's CarSide to Go option before? Do you tip the "server" or not? And if so...how much? :confused3

Actually, this was the OP and it was not worded as a debate.
I don't see anything that is particularly nasty YET, but I can see that it could head that way.
Just trying to be proactive and avoid any potential problems. ::yes:: :)

[HM]

I think this is a great thread.
I don't tip when I get food to-go, but I've never had to deal with a place where there is curbside. So, it's good to know the ins and outs of what they get paid and who might be doing that kind of job. I now know that I will give about a 10% tip (same as I pay for the pizza delivery guy/gal).

-HM

[Kellydelly]

You're right, it wasn't asked why or why not, just how much. But if we all just said yes or no this would be boring :p !

[patsal]

I don't tip when I get to go food, I don't tip at the McD. drive through, Many times the order is wrong when I get home anyway--why would I tip someone who is making minimum wage? :confused3

[BethR]

:p !

:p

:rotfl:

[umaangel00]

I dont' understand why you wouldn't tip. They are just like the waitstaff in the restaurant. They are doing you a service by coming to you. You tip the pizza delivery guy. This is the same thing. They bring the food to you.

[polkadotladybug]

Well - the difference between these curbside people and the pizza guy - is that the pizza guy drives it to my house and knocks on my door and I don't have to go out to get it. The curbside person merely walks it out after I drive there to get it. I have to personally call there (get placed on hold quite often), place my order, then drive there and get it.

I'm not contributing to the debate - but when comparing - it's more like apples and oranges - so it isn't a logical comparison to compare curbside people and the pizza guy (and waitresses for that matter).

[umaangel00]

yes you can compare them to waitresses since that is what they are. That is what they hired to do. I think it's not fair to not tip. No, it's not required. It never is. But you try living on what they make once and you will understand why tips are GREATLY appreciated.

[hambirg]

I have to chime in on this. If they're getting minimum wage then they aren't any different from all those people working the drive through at your local McD's, etc. Do you tip them? They have to put your order together, get your drinks, cook your fries, deal with the cooks, deal with nasty customers too. And they're doing alot more than 10 orders, sometimes as many as 180 an hour when it's busy. I always tip the pizza delivery guy. They're driving it to your house, usually in their own car. I think they get a mileage amount, but still, gas, insurance, life and limb. You get the picture.

[shirleyb]

I agree hambirg. I really don't see why this is a tipped position, no different from fast food drive through. If the To Go servers aren't making enough money, than the issue is that the chain (whether it's Applebee's or what have you) should be paying them more, because they're charging us the same price for the food, but we're not sitting in their restaurant using their space, requiring it to be cleaned, etc, so their costs are lower on the To Go food. Does that make any sense?

Like an earlier poster said, we (society) have dictated that everybody and their brother should get tipped anymore and the excuse is always that "they don't make very much money". Well, that goes for tons of untipped positions. The cashier at the convenience store doesn't make very much money, but we don't tip her. JMO.

[umaangel00]

Just for reference, the minimum fast food place pay their employee is 7/hr. I have worked them all. Also, minimum wage is either 5.15 or 5.75/hr. so you can see, it's a much worse position.

[hambirg]

Minimum wage in my state is $7.35. That's what the fast food workers start at, minimum wage.

[umaangel00]

um well minimum wage is set at a federal level not a state level so that can not be.

[MrsPete]

If you're in the restaurant, the waitress does quite a bit for you: takes your order, refills your drink, asks about dessert, takes your check to the counter, and clears your table afterward. When the tables are slow, she rolls up new napkin/silverware bundles, refills the catsup, and does numerous other little things.

The drive-through person does essentially none of that. He or she just passes on the package that was put together by the kitchen staff.

We tip people for their service -- not because they're low-paid. If we tipped based upon salary, social services workers would be tipped more highly than waitresses. If you're tipping because people are in low-paying positions, aren't you just tipping out of pity?

[umaangel00]

no I'm not tipping out of pity. They may not do SOME of the stuff that other waitstaff does but they do, do alot. They take your payment. If i pay by credit card, they go in, run it, come out have me sign it and take it back in. They bring you the food so you don't have to get your behind out the car. that is a service to you. that deserves a tip.

[HockeyDadof2]

I have only used Applebee's Car Side ToGo once, my order wasn't ready when I got there and the "waitress" wasn't exactly nice so she got nothing. I probably would have given her a couple of bucks, but not the typical 15-20% for average service when I an actually waited on. Knowing that they make more than the regular waitstaff, I am slightly less inclined now to tip at all.

[mickeyluv'r]

That's too bad your daughter is treated so poorly by the restaurant. I sincerely hope she get promoted soon. It seems like a scam on the part of the restaurant chains. (a way to pay employees less) I think it's aweful that you have to get your takeout this way from these restaurants now (because the servers are paid based on getting tips) . I mean, having been a waitress myself, I never got tipped for putting together take-out orders. Usually people who worked primarily in the takeout/counter area got paid more on their base rate, or all the servers had to pool their tips. Your daughter must insist on making at least min. wage.

- I don't generally tip for normal take-out service unless the server does something really special. I nearly always tip table service at least 20% -and I don't leave the table a huge mess either. I was always amazed at the mess some people would leave behind. Sorry to say but there is a big difference between waiting on a table and putting together a take-out order. Personally though, my solution is that I don't do takeout from these restaurants anymore.

[Rootskate]

I tip 2 or 3 dollars for the curbside service.

[hambirg]

You're misinformed. "The federal Department of Labor minimum wage is $5.15 an hour, but in those states that set rates that differ from federal law, the higher rate applies. Rates for other states that have a minimum wage are available at www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm."

[soccermom5]

we usually tip 2-3 $$ if its raining it is a def 5 our applebees is very good several times we have ordered kids meals and our waitress has brought out lollypops or balloons :cool1: if youo dont want the hassle of getting out of your car maybe you should think of the $ or 2 as a convience charge :sunny:

[OceanAnnie]

I think it's very interesting that about 1000 people have viewed this thread and less than 50 have responded. Maybe it's telling. Maybe a lot of people don't tip and just don't want to be judged as being unfair or unreasonable.
Maybe not. Who knows?

To each their own. I think it's a world of difference in the service you get in a sit down restaurant and curbside as other posters have mentioned.

A poll on this topic would be interesting.

[lulu71]

We tip 15-20% at Outback curbside.

[csmommy]

I do not tip at McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, or any place where I do not receive sit down service. My personal feeling, & I know this will irrate many, is don't take the job if the salary isn't want you want to earn. While regular waitstaff, hairstylists, bellhops, doorman & manicurists (I am sure I have forgotten someone) work in tipping industries, if you do not like the hourly salary don't take the job. I worked for several years as a waitress, & earned tips. My next job was a teller, I would never have thought of getting a tip doing this, eventhough it is a service oriented position. If you earn above waitress minimum (different from regular minumum) don't expect a tip.

[FayeW]

I think I'm a little confused by your response. My daughter doesn't get any money from the menu price. She's like any waitress; they live off of their tips.
Kim :banana:
I don't know why you are confused, I quoted a specific passage in your post regarding your habit of tipping " anybody who puts your order together", which seems odd to me, because if you order and pay for something from a company, I assume they will actually give it to you; that's what you paid for.

I never said anything about your daughter or her specific circumstance, but as far as I am concerned, I would consider her a cashier, not a waitress or server. If she doesn't get enough hours maybe she should consider getting a job somewhere else.

[ladydancer]

I don't tip when I get to go food, I don't tip at the McD. drive through, Many times the order is wrong when I get home anyway--why would I tip someone who is making minimum wage? :confused3

Mcd is different than a curbside order. My dil works at Mcd and she gets paid $9 an hour compared to Applebees employees. Also they bring your food out to your car you don't drive up. I have never used the curbside pick up but I could not take the food and not least give the person a couple bucks for walking the food out to my car.

[rafikimom]

I work for Fridays and I'm a bartender. At our store, the bar is responsible for all carryout (we don't have the curbside thing yet). We get paid $2.13/hr. So tips are appreciated! :sunny: I work during the day and find many of our orders are on the large side, 15+ people per order. Alot of times these people expect us to write names on boxes, add extra this and that, and wrap the meat separate from the bread etc.... and we end up with a big goose egg for our effort! If I had to estimate on an average I receive a tip on a carryout about 1 out of every 15. Just thought I would chime in on my own personal opinion. Also, the kitchen staff does nothing for carryout except cook it at our store. It is the bartenders' responsibility to box the items up and bag it and be sure it is correct.

[Lewisc]

I think it's very interesting that about 1000 people have viewed this thread and less than 50 have responded. Maybe it's telling. Maybe a lot of people don't tip and just don't want to be judged as being unfair or unreasonable.
Maybe not. Who knows?

To each their own. I think it's a world of difference in the service you get in a sit down restaurant and curbside as other posters have mentioned.

A poll on this topic would be interesting.

I've read this thread but haven't posted because I've never used car side service. I suspect many people are in the same category. Does someone bring the food to your car? I guess I'd tip a few dollars particularly if it's raining. Is it like a drive through window? If so I probably wouldn't tip anything. If I went inside and saw an employee that is normally tipped, a bartender or a waiter, doing a lot of work I might tip a few dollars but if the work was done "behind the scenes" I probably wouldn't. I'm thinking along the lines of rounding up and telling them to keep the change as opposed to a straight percentage.

[cobbler]

Here's my 2 cents if anyone is interested :)

I worked at Cracker Barrel for about 2 years. The starting wage for a server (which was my position) was 2.65 and you could make a max of 2.85. Now we as servers were responsible for take-out orders so we were getting paid the 2.?? to do take out orders and if there was no tip then it can be difficult.

Now we are, by federal law, required to report 100% of our tips. At the end of the day when we clock out, it shows our sales for the day. This would include take out orders. Once we report our tips, it shows what percentage of our sales we received in tips. Kind of to see how we are doing. So it hurts to see 5% of your sales was in tips when you have a ton of take-out orders. It can also be a small red flag to the IRS who may think that you aren't reporting all your tips.

Not that the last sentence has anything to do with anything, but just thought I would share the whole scenario.

[Lewisc]

Here's my 2 cents if anyone is interested :)

I worked at Cracker Barrel for about 2 years. .... At the end of the day when we clock out, it shows our sales for the day. This would include take out orders. Once we report our tips, it shows what percentage of our sales we received in tips. Kind of to see how we are doing..

The employer is required to report imputed tip income of 8% but that are required to exclude carry out orders from the calculation. Considering all the regulations Cracker Barrell seems to violate I wouldn't be surprised if this one of them.

[Hygiene99]

AppleBees Guest relations, Say's that It is not Required that you tip the Employee. and is totally up to You..

[luckey-lasvegas]

Here's my tip : If you plan on using the service on a regular basis I reccomend that you get to know the servers and tip.
People who work in the service industry have a long memory.
Just because you choose to serve others does not make you their servant.

And yes the Union is great !

[OceanAnnie]

Here's my tip : If you plan on using the service on a regular basis I reccomend that you get to know the servers and tip.
People who work in the service industry have a long memory.
Just because you choose to serve others does not make you their servant.

And yes the Union is great !

I treat the cashiers with courtesy. I've never treated anyone as my "servant". I pay for the items I order. They walk about 8 paces to my car and 8 paces back. I've had McDonalds ask me to pull up and wait for my order and walk farther to give it to me. I didn't tip them either. I paid for the product. They get paid for their job. That's the way it works.

I use the curbside very infrequently. It isn't the same as a sit down service. And for those of you that think it is, have at it. We disagree. No biggie to me.

I do think your "tip" is rather rude.

[disneymom3]

AppleBees Guest relations, Say's that It is not Required that you tip the Employee. and is totally up to You..


I would be interested to see if Applebees guest relations also says it is not "required" to tip your table server. I would guess they do.

I have never used carside service. I think I would tend to give a couple of dollars to someone bringing the food out to more car more than I would tip someone if I go in and get it. I have gone it to pick up a to go order and at the place we ususally go, it is almost always the manager or the hostess who brings it to us so I have not tipped them.

Interesting thread. Thanks to those in the industry who have given their take on this.