We all know and love Waffle House – that gleaming black and yellow sign that beckons us in for hot, fresh breakfast any time of day or night. But here’s something you might not know: there’s a surprise waiting for you on your to-go order receipt.
What’s the Deal?
A customer named Herbie Davis recently sparked a heated discussion when he shared something interesting about Waffle House’s to-go orders: they come with an automatic 20% fee. Here’s how it breaks down:
- 10% goes to the server who packed your order
- 10% goes to Waffle House as a “to-go fee”
People Are Not Happy
Davis didn’t hold back his feelings about the policy: “This is crazy… how in the h-ll Waffle House gonna tip a server on a to go order.. I’m not sitting down eating…”
And he’s not alone. The comments section lit up with frustrated customers, including one who pointed out: “Anything to keep them from paying employees a livable wage.”
Some were also on the side of Waffle House, or more specifically the employees.
What Are People Doing About It?
Some loyal Waffle House fans are taking a stand. They’re saying they’ll skip the to-go orders and eat in the restaurant instead, where they can decide their own tip. Others are avoiding the chain altogether until they’re more upfront about these charges or drop them completely.
The Bottom Line
If you’re planning to grab some Waffle House to-go, just know that an extra 20% is coming your way. Or, as some customers suggest, you should grab a seat at one of those familiar booths instead – at least, then you’ll get the entire Waffle House experience for that extra charge!
The Takeaway
It’s always tricky to cover tipping as I see both sides of the argument. I spent most of my 20s in the hospitality space, and now I’m building products for food and beverage businesses.
Tips are a significant part of why many people are able to earn a living. So, I’ll never be against tipping. I’m team “20%,” but I don’t think tips/gratuities should be automatic. That defeats the purpose.
This new Waffle House fee does not fit into the traditional tipping structure we’re used to, but it still falls into the “tipping culture” conversation in America.
The more significant issue here is “junk fees” and how they’re becoming more and more invasive.
There is no reason why a patron should pay a to-go fee. You’re not ordering delivery; you’re picking up the order yourself. Why is there a fee for my own effort?
That’s where I land with this: If this fee is mandatory, then it should be added to the cost of the meal itself.
The actual cost should be reflected in the price of the items on the menu.
What Do You Think?
Have you noticed this fee on your Waffle House to-go orders? Do you think it’s fair to charge the same service fee for takeout as dine-in? Let us know in the comments below!
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