They’re fast, easy and handy. When entering a drive-through, there are typically three simple steps. These steps include driving up to the order screen, paying at the window and receiving your order. Recently, many drive-throughs workers have been asking, “Would you like to leave a tip for the team?”
This can often be an unexpected question with simple drive-throughs while not many steps are being taken to prepare the order. Companies such as Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Scooters and many other chain restaurants with drive-throughs have added this feature.
Several drive-throughs already have tip jars on the inside or outsides of their windows so if the customer wants to leave a tip, they can. The real question is: Why have these companies recently begun asking for tips or have added the tipping feature to their card machines and iPads?
It is common for companies like these to typically pay workers between $10 and $16 an hour. With the gratuity feature added, their average income may add up to almost $20 an hour.
It is understandable that receiving a tip while working a drive-through is desired, but what is the purpose of asking if they are already making well above a server’s wage?
When asked this question, the customer often feels as if they are under pressure or being persuaded into giving a tip to the workers. Some will give into the pressure and tip a few dollars, while others are adamant about not tipping.
It is safe to say that drive-through workers are now being paid plenty with the combination of their hourly plus the tips they receive.
Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
