Here's a tip on how U.S. diners are leaving gratuity. 

Answer:

• Full-service: 19.1%
• Quick-service: 15.8%

Questions:

• How do you approach tipping? How do you feel about it?
  
• Have you ever worked at a job where you were paid tips? What was that experience like?
• What factors do you think impact how much people tip?
  
• This data only includes people who paid with a card or electronic payment. Do you think it would differ it included cash tips? Why or why not?

Click here for the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day you can use in your classroom.

Behind the numbers (toast):

"Some bad news for full-service restaurant workers: Average full-service restaurant tips fell to 19.1% in Q2 2025, the lowest level Toast has seen in seven years. This is down from an average of 19.4% in Q1 2025. Tips at quick-service restaurants remained flat in Q2 2025 at 15.8% when compared to Q1 2025. 

What could be driving the trend? The debate on tipping in the U.S. has been a persistent topic for several years and has recently garnered increased attention with legislative changes at the state, local, and national levels.

The rise of "tipflation" and increased tipping opportunities across industries has been said to lead to "tipping fatigue," ultimately sparking a backlash against tipping. Inflation in recent years can also affect tipping. As menu prices rise, guests may feel less inclined to tip on top of a larger bill."

On the subject of tips, can you make any as an Uber driver? Try this Uber driver simulation in the NGPF Arcade and find out.

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About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.