77% of Consumers Say Tipping in the U.S. Has Become Ridiculous, According to Popmenu's Annual Study

• On average, over the last year, consumers say they have paid around $150 in tips they didn't think were customary or necessary
• Restaurant tipping trends are improving year over year, but still trail previous highs for delivery drivers

ATLANTA, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tipping fatigue continues to plague U.S. consumers, impacting industries that rely on gratuities as part of their income. Two-thirds (65%) of consumers say they are fed up with tipping, up from 60% last year and 53% in 2023. Consumers estimate that they are asked to tip for different services at various establishments ten times a month, on average—a key reason why 43% say they are tipping less this year.

This is according to an annual study of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted in September 2025 by Popmenu, a tech leader that serves more than 10,000 restaurants.

Tipping out of guilt vs. gratitude

At least once a week, 44% of consumers tip at establishments where they don't think it's customary or warranted. Two-thirds (66%) of consumers feel pressure to hand over a tip when digital payment screens suggest gratuity amounts, especially when prompted in front of employees. 

That sense of obligation, or guilt tipping, extends to situations where consumer expectations are not met: 64% of consumers have tipped a worker even when they received poor service.

Consumers also say they have added gratuities when they felt bad for a worker (52%) or didn't want to look cheap (45%).

Restaurant tipping trends

The study revealed a positive trend in restaurant tipping after declines over the last few years: 45% of consumers say they are tipping restaurant servers 20% or more, up from 38% of consumers last year and inching above a previous high of 43% in 2022.

Nearly 1 in 4 consumers (23%) tip delivery drivers 20% or more, up from 19% of consumers last year, but still considerably below a previous high of 32% in 2022.

The majority of consumers (62%) say they would rather pay more for food and beverages to provide higher wages for restaurant workers and eliminate tipping altogether.

While consumers tend to tip more often at full-service restaurants, nearly half (46%) tip at coffee shops, 32% tip food trucks and 27% tip at fast food establishments.

Top places for tipping

Consumers say they tip for the following services:

• Restaurants – 94%
• Hair salon/barber – 68%
• Taxis/ride services – 46%
• Grocery delivery – 45%
• Hotel (housekeeping, bellhop) – 37%
• Spa – 25%
• Dog groomer – 22%
• Auto repair – 10%

"Tipflation is taking its toll on consumers who are fed up with feeling pressured to dig deeper into their pockets several times a week, often at places where it may not be customary," said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. "While tipping trends are looking better for restaurant staff this year, workers who rely on gratuities to supplement lower-base incomes need to be watchful of a longer-term negative effect on earning potential."

Survey Methodology

Popmenu conducted an anonymous survey of 1,000 consumers, ages 18 and older, across the U.S. from September 18 to September 19, 2025.

About Popmenu

As a leader in restaurant technology, Popmenu is on a mission to make profitable growth easy for all restaurants. Digital marketing, online ordering, and on-premise technologies headline a powerful product suite infused with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and deep data on guest preferences. The company consolidates tools needed to engage guests, serving as a digital control center for more than 10,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups in the US, UK, and Canada. For more information, visit popmenu.com.

Media Contact:

Jennifer Grasz
VP of Marketing, Popmenu
[email protected]

SOURCE Popmenu Inc.