Buzz
Unlike deciding how much to tip your server or figuring out how much to give for a massage, tipping food delivery drivers can sometimes be tricky. The proper amount depends on the situation, but one thing is always true: a small tip goes a long way. In this guide, an etiquette expert explains the essentials of tipping delivery drivers and how to make the process smooth and professional next time you order food—pizza or otherwise.
What’s the Right Amount to Tip for Food Delivery?
To set the record straight: always tip your food delivery driver (or courier, or biker), whether they’re bringing pizza or meals via a third-party app. Etiquette specialist Elaine Swann recommends a $3 to $5 tip when the driver arrives.
Elaine Swann, Founder of The Swann School of Protocol
"A tip of three to five dollars is usually enough. There's no need for it to be a percentage of your food order."
While pizza delivery drivers typically earn minimum wage, workers from services like Uber Eats, GrubHub, Seamless, and other food delivery platforms rely on tips for extra income. Luckily, tipping for food delivery is more straightforward compared to determining a tip for your restaurant server, with a more standardized amount.
Additional Tips for Special Situations
Swann explains that there are instances where a larger tip might be appropriate. "Perhaps you live in a busy city with a three-story walk-up, or it’s pouring rain, or traffic is terrible, or it’s around the time of a big event like the Super Bowl," she says. "In those situations, it’s okay to give a little extra if the driver has gone the extra mile."
If you're planning to be a regular customer, that extra tip can help ensure you get top-tier service every time. Also, if you're placing a large order—for a class event or a big meeting, for example—be sure to tip generously.
How to Tip for Food Delivery
There are various situations to consider when tipping for food delivery. Today, you might pay by phone for a pizza, use an app for other food orders, or pay the delivery driver directly when they arrive. Here's how to approach tipping in each case.
Paying by Phone or App
When paying by phone or through an app, Swann recommends having the $3 to $5 tip in cash, ready in dollar bills. "I would avoid dealing with coins and loose change," she advises. "Unless you’ve searched through your house and that’s all you could find, coins can be a hassle and may cause inconvenience."
Paying in Person
If you're paying the driver in person when they arrive, set aside the tip separately. Avoid handing the driver a larger bill, like $40, and saying, "Keep the change," advises Swann. It’s simpler for the delivery person to keep the tip apart from the food cost, which helps avoid awkward exchanges when they return to the restaurant or store.
Cash Is Preferred
No matter how you pay, Swann points out that cash is often the best way to tip because it guarantees the delivery worker gets the money right away. (Knowing when to tip in cash can make you a more effective tipper overall.)
"We can’t be sure about what happens when you tip by phone or credit card," Swann explains. "We don’t know if a portion of the tip is deducted or shared with others on the team. So it’s always a good idea to have cash available for tipping purposes."
Should I Tip When Picking Up Food?
If you opt to go to the restaurant and pick up your meal rather than having it delivered, you should still consider leaving a tip. Servers often handle preparing your order and may even bring it to your car for curbside pickup.
Offering a tip when picking up food is a way to show you value their time, which might be taken from other responsibilities, such as waiting tables. (However, tipping is not necessary at fast food establishments where you order directly at the counter.)
Etiquette Tips for Tipping Food Delivery
Swann advises that when tipping food delivery workers (or any service personnel), there are some important considerations to ensure you avoid an uncomfortable situation. It's not only about how much you tip but also about how you go about the exchange.
Fold the Cash
It's best to neatly fold the bills rather than handing over a handful of loose change. On the other hand, don’t feel the need to make the exchange secretly, like slipping a bill into your palm and shaking hands.
"Avoid keeping bills crumpled or wadded up in your hand," Swann advises. "Simply fold it in half and hand it to the person—it doesn't need to be a hidden transaction."
Be Kind
A kind word and a smile can clearly show that the money you’re offering is a tip meant for the delivery driver to keep. "Be sure to say something like 'Here you go, thank you for your time,' or 'This is for you, thank you,'" Swann suggests. "Make sure to communicate verbally while handing over the money."
Be Patient
Lastly, exercise some patience. Don’t rush to thrust the cash into the delivery driver’s hand as they’re handing over the food. This is particularly important when tipping for pizza delivery. "Allow the person to take the pizza out of the bag and hand it to you before offering the tip," Swann advises.
Tune into Mytour's "Money Confidential" podcast for expert guidance on launching a business, improving your relationship with money, navigating conversations about secret debt with your partner, and much more!
