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I usually do 10-15% on the carside service (not often) and 20-25% when dining in.
Mike
Used to work there...10% standard...15% if the carside to-go person is hot![]()

So, I just picked up a Carside to Go order from Applebee's. I gave a $2 tip. The bill came to $35. Am I a cheapskate?![]()
You tip when no tip has been earned?Oooh. Not to steal the OP's thread, but I've been wondering if I'm a jerk for only tipping like 10% on dine in meals which involve extremely limited table service -- i.e. you order at the counter and five minutes later they bring you your order -- no beverages, napkins, checks, etc.
Seems very similar, and I don't want to undertip, but I'm not sure if I'm even supposed to, since the entirety of their service is walking the food 10 feet over to me.
However if it was a minute late you should burn out right in his face and clip him with the mirror.![]()

Obviously it's a service or you wouldn't have them do it. I guess I approach this differently than some here. I figure that tipping is just part of ordering food prepared and delivered by someone besides myself. If I don't want to pay it, I stay home and cook.It doesn't matter the price of the food when I am ordering pickup food, which I have already paid for in advance. If the person brings me the food I give them a one dollar tip, every time. It wouldn't matter if I was going to Outback or a fancy restaurant downtown. $1 is all they get. Walking twenty feet to my car is hardly a service. If I give them cash and they need to bring me back change, I will tip $2.
I'm easily pursuaded by receipts that include a line that says "tip." It's sit down dining, but realistically the service is equivalent to Carl's Jr.You tip when no tip has been earned?
I think you might be stepping out on a limb here. That argument could easily be turned in the other direction, as well. You say our entitlement society has led to people expecting a tip for nothing, they might say our entitlement society has led you to expect food to be delivered straight to your car door for free.The problem is our "entitlement" society. Everyone thinks they are owed something just for being.
Pure profit? I'm not so sure. In my general observation, that service costs them about 3 more employees on a weekend night (usually one taking the calls/assembling orders and 2 checking orders/delivering it). There's probably an added cook in the back to keep up, as well.The Carside service cost them nothing. Pure profit. I didn't take up table space, I didn't take up server time. I'm not getting free refills of pop. Nothing.