Tipping for takeout?

[kennancat]

Do you tip for takeout? If so, how much? I looked online, and the information I found said it varies widely, from nothing to 10% I've seen tipping threads get pretty heated on these boards, so I'm hoping this can stay civil.

ETA: When I think of takeout, I'm thinking of a restaurant that is mostly focused on dine-in business, but also offers takeout.

 

[Grizabella]

10% is the norm around here.

 

[MushyMushy]

0%

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I don't understand why you would tip for take-out. I walk in the restaurant and get it, what am I tipping for?

Now a couple restaurants around here have the curbside service and bring your take-out to the car, I tip them a couple bucks.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Now a couple restaurants around here have the curbside service and bring your take-out to the car, I tip them a couple bucks.

That's what I do, too. If they bring it out to me, they geat $2-$3 depending on how much I have ordered. If I go get it, they get $0.

 

[jusmom]

As a former bartender at a restaraunt whose job it was to take the order and package it up for "the guest", I will tip 15% as a minimum. But also, I only go to a handfull of restaraunts for take out and I usually know the person handling my order.

 

[JennaTX]

I voted 10%. I figure that someone at the restaurant is taking the time to put my order together, instead of maybe waiting on tables, so they deserve something.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I have never tipped for takeout! Noone is actually serving us and cleaning up after us. If anything, you should tip the cook. All the person you deal with does is give you the food and take your $$! I honestly never thought of tipping when I get takeout!

 

[RNMOM]

My 21 yr old son is working his way through college doing mostly "to goes" at Macaroni Grill in our area. He just told me he sells 2-3 times the people/meals that a server at tableside does and makes less per meal because there is no beverage order. I know for a fact he works his butt off and strives to make his customers happy as he has many repeat customers. He often tells me about "this guy or lady" who orders xyz evey Fri. or such and how they always want extra this or more of that and that particular day tipped him very well because he always remembers how they like their food and they appreciate that. In many ways his job is tougher because he can't blame mistakes on anyone else as he takes the order, puts the order in, takes it from the chef and adds the garnish,etc and packs it for taking to the car. He handles it all himself unlike the servers who have someone to check the orders and another person who takes it to the table. All they have to do is give you the beverage and put the orders in, check on you and give you the check. My son even puts the orders into the register and handles the charge cards.

So, when you think the to go person doesn't do much, remember that might not be true depending on the restaurant. Oh yea, he doesn't share in the tips the rest of the employees share in either. He does get paid a little more per hour because of that. I am happy to say he rarely ever complains about not getting tips but when someone gives him a nice tip he remembers it and comes home happy to tell us about it. Some nights he gets a lot of good tips. One night he got a $40.00 tip on a $60.00 order..the guy just told him to keep the change on a $100. What did he do? He gave $20. to the other to go person cause they helped him out with some stuff another time.

He has had the opportunity to become a tableside server and has decided he likes the challenge and variety of the to goes. He is a good kid and quickly becoming a terrific man. I am very proud of this kid and happy to know the people who work with him and his managers really are happy he works there.

 

[CPM]

I have never tipped for takeout! Noone is actually serving us and cleaning up after us. If anything, you should tip the cook. All the person you deal with does is give you the food and take your $$! I honestly never thought of tipping when I get takeout!

Not true. They order it, package it up, get the sides you need, condiments, utesils, containers, bags, the check. Then you also have to re-stock.
It's really kind of a pain. It's nice when they have someone that is actually in charge of take out orders. I hate when I'm working and really busy, then have to stop everything I'm doing, read the menu to someone over the phone, and get together a take -out order. I think a few bucks is a nice idea.

 

[JPN4265]

Why in the world would you tip for takeout. How about tipping every time you flush your toilet. Someone on the other end has to clean up the mess. Where is it going to stop.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Why in the world would you tip for takeout. How about tipping every time you flush your toilet. Someone on the other end has to clean up the mess. Where is it going to stop.

There went my coffee!!

 

[MushyMushy]

Not true. They order it, package it up, get the sides you need, condiments, utesils, containers, bags, the check. Then you also have to re-stock.
It's really kind of a pain. It's nice when they have someone that is actually in charge of take out orders. I hate when I'm working and really busy, then have to stop everything I'm doing, read the menu to someone over the phone, and get together a take -out order. I think a few bucks is a nice idea.

A lot of people in the service industry go above and beyond to give good service, and they would think it's a nice idea too, but they don't get it.

I think this is a case where tipping goes too far. I'm a generous tipper, but I wouldn't tip for take out -- UNLESS I was going to a restaurant where I knew an actual waitress was doing this and it was taking time away from her tables. That's not the case in any of the places where I get take-out.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

Not true. They order it, package it up, get the sides you need, condiments, utesils, containers, bags, the check. Then you also have to re-stock.
It's really kind of a pain. It's nice when they have someone that is actually in charge of take out orders. I hate when I'm working and really busy, then have to stop everything I'm doing, read the menu to someone over the phone, and get together a take -out order. I think a few bucks is a nice idea.

This is true. As someone who has worked in food service, I always tip. Not as much as I would if I were eating in, but a couple of bucks at least. I've had table service where I got nothing more than takeout with a drink refill or two, and tipped twice as much.

 

[powellrj]

If its a resturant that is only carry-out like a pizza place or chinese or fast food, no I don't tip for carrry out.


But if its a regular resturant like Texas Roadhouse, Outback or Chilis yes I tip for carrry-out. Its not as much as I would tip if I were seated, but the waitress that takes my order still has to make my salad and sides, pack up my order which takes more time than if they were just bringing out a plate and then bring it out to me. They are still serving me and they still are making less than min wage so I still feel they deserve a tip.

 

[Sherri]

My 21 yr old son is working his way through college doing mostly "to goes" at Macaroni Grill in our area. He just told me he sells 2-3 times the people/meals that a server at tableside does and makes less per meal because there is no beverage order. I know for a fact he works his butt off and strives to make his customers happy as he has many repeat customers. He often tells me about "this guy or lady" who orders xyz evey Fri. or such and how they always want extra this or more of that and that particular day tipped him very well because he always remembers how they like their food and they appreciate that. In many ways his job is tougher because he can't blame mistakes on anyone else as he takes the order, puts the order in, takes it from the chef and adds the garnish,etc and packs it for taking to the car. He handles it all himself unlike the servers who have someone to check the orders and another person who takes it to the table. All they have to do is give you the beverage and put the orders in, check on you and give you the check. My son even puts the orders into the register and handles the charge cards.

So, when you think the to go person doesn't do much, remember that might not be true depending on the restaurant. Oh yea, he doesn't share in the tips the rest of the employees share in either. He does get paid a little more per hour because of that. I am happy to say he rarely ever complains about not getting tips but when someone gives him a nice tip he remembers it and comes home happy to tell us about it. Some nights he gets a lot of good tips. One night he got a $40.00 tip on a $60.00 order..the guy just told him to keep the change on a $100. What did he do? He gave $20. to the other to go person cause they helped him out with some stuff another time.

He has had the opportunity to become a tableside server and has decided he likes the challenge and variety of the to goes. He is a good kid and quickly becoming a terrific man. I am very proud of this kid and happy to know the people who work with him and his managers really are happy he works there.

I always tip when I do the curbside pick up.
Your son sounds like a very nice guy.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I have never tipped for take-out and don't intend to start now.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I have never tipped for takeout! Noone is actually serving us and cleaning up after us. If anything, you should tip the cook. All the person you deal with does is give you the food and take your $$! I honestly never thought of tipping when I get takeout!

Depending on the restaurant you go to, that might not be true. I don't get "tipping the cook" when they already make way more per hour than I as a waitress. The cook either puts the food on the plate or in a to-go box, what's the difference?

It's the WAITRESS where I work that answers the phone and takes the to-go order, and when the food is ready SHE is the one who boxes it up, puts in plasticware/napkins, condiments, etc. and if they have ordered milkshakes SHE is the one who makes those up, or if they have ordered pie SHE is the one who boxes that up and SHE is the one who brings it out and rings the customer up when they pick it up, and if they have more than one box SHE is the one who takes the second box to their car for them!!

All of this takes time away from our sit-down customers. And it really is a pain when we're super busy and trying to keep up with our customers who are sitting down eating in the restaurant.

So when someone tips for a to-go order it is very much appreciated!!

 

[shortbun]

Why in the world would you tip for takeout. How about tipping every time you flush your toilet. Someone on the other end has to clean up the mess. Where is it going to stop.

Hey, if you consider that a service, tip away!!

 

[Kimberly]

If it is at a restaurant, and they take it out to my car for me, then I give them a 10 percent tip. If nothing, then no tip at all.