4 ms·

In addition to the studies and guides as linked above, the best service tip I can give is to be predictive of the customer's needs. Listening and reading their

In addition to the studies and guides as linked above, the best service tip I can give is to be predictive of the customer's needs. Listening and reading their body language and providing them refills, extra sauces or napkins, suggestions on obscure wine, recommendations on local activities, the most recent sports scores, or a free item -- before they have to ask for it. In the case of regular customers this means being stocked with their favorite item or getting their order or preferred table ready as soon as they walk in the door. People's time is valuable and if you can save them time and effort, and make them look good (lots of business deals are done over food or drink), it can be worth 50%-100% or more in tip percentage. There is far more to provide than just food service, good tippers go for the experience. If you know how to provide this experience, the few low tippers are no problem at all.

vacri 13y ago
If you give them a free item just to increase your tip, isn't this ethically the same as stealing from the company? You're converting an asset of the company into dollars in your pocket. I used to work with a sales guy who would make sales that cost the company more than the final sale brought in. Spend $12k to make a $10k sale? Made sense to him... because he got a commission on it.
- doublerebel 13y ago
  As I state above, practically all restaurants run a "comp[limentary] tab", giving free items is extremely standard. All items are marked on the comp tab. Senior servers/bartenders can run their own comp tab, but most staff has to ask management. This is factored into all costs and is used to encourage repeat customers. A repeat customer and good word of mouth is worth far more than a free dessert. There are many misconceptions about the industry from outsiders. It seems to be making people mad, but this is how the industry works.

vacri 13y ago

If you give them a free item just to increase your tip, isn't this ethically the same as stealing from the company? You're converting an asset of the company into dollars in your pocket. I used to work with a sales guy who would make sales that cost the company more than the final sale brought in. Spend $12k to make a $10k sale? Made sense to him... because he got a commission on it.

doublerebel 13y ago
As I state above, practically all restaurants run a "comp[limentary] tab", giving free items is extremely standard. All items are marked on the comp tab. Senior servers/bartenders can run their own comp tab, but most staff has to ask management. This is factored into all costs and is used to encourage repeat customers. A repeat customer and good word of mouth is worth far more than a free dessert. There are many misconceptions about the industry from outsiders. It seems to be making people mad, but this is how the industry works.