Texas Roadhouse Tipping Controversy Sparks Customer Fury
Patrons of Texas Roadhouse are gearing up for a significant pushback against the popular steakhouse chain, as its latest tipping prompts come under intense scrutiny. The iconic restaurant may be falling out of favour with American diners who argue that its new system unfairly inflates the amounts customers are nudged to leave as gratuity.
The Shocking Discovery on the Bill
Similar to numerous other dining establishments, Texas Roadhouse now requests customers to select a tip after payment, either via a digital screen or a paper check. One diner detailed their experience after a tipping screen appeared, offering options of 15%, 18%, 20%, or 25% on an $80 meal. While these percentages are becoming commonplace in restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, the real surprise lay in the fine print.
The bill explicitly stated: 'Tip is calculated after tax and before discounts.' This directly contradicts a fundamental principle of tipping etiquette, which holds that gratuity should be based on the pre-tax subtotal, excluding taxes that do not reflect service received.
Customer Outcry and Reddit Reactions
'Texas Roadhouse suggestions are out of control,' vented the customer on Reddit. Further analysis by diners revealed that the suggested tip amounts did not align clearly with either pre-tax or post-tax totals. For instance, the 15% suggested tip was neither 15% of the total before nor after tax; it actually equated to 16.67% of the post-tax amount.
Other Reddit users expressed similar dismay. One commented: 'Calculated after tax? F that!' Another noted: 'Yup. Almost all places are doing the tip calculations after tax now which is completely wrong.' A different user highlighted the ethical concern: 'On top of the math not mathing, the fact that their default suggested tip is calculated after tax is so unethical. You’re not receiving service on the meal taxes you’re paying.' Some even questioned the legality, with a user stating: 'This has been a trend, some places are just randomly adding a dollar or two hoping people wouldn't notice. Not sure how is this legal.'
Texas Roadhouse's Response and Wider Context
Texas Roadhouse addressed the issue by attributing the confusion to 'a free appetizer of $8.99,' yet admitted that its tip suggestions are indeed calculated after tax. This controversy places Texas Roadhouse among a growing list of restaurants facing criticism over tipping practices.
Earlier this month, an Italian restaurant in Las Vegas was condemned for pre-adding a tip to receipts and then requesting an additional gratuity. Not long before, customers at a casual seafood eatery in Maryland were infuriated when their $260 bill had the 15% tip option scribbled out by the server, perceived as a demand for more. In another instance, a Reddit user reported being effectively forced to tip for a pizza pickup, with no option to leave zero without encountering a red error message.
Strategies to Combat Inflated Tips
Frustrated customers have shared simple methods to avoid overpaying:
- Always select the 'custom' option and manually calculate the tip based on the pre-tax subtotal.
- Request a paper receipt to clearly view the breakdown of charges.
- Pay with cash when possible to bypass screen-based pressure tactics.
The Rise of 'Tipflation'
These incidents exemplify the phenomenon known as 'tipflation,' where expectations to tip have expanded in frequency, location, and rate. A decade ago, 15% was standard for average service; now, 20% or higher is often the norm. A recent survey found that three-quarters of Americans believe tipping culture has gone too far, with two-thirds admitting to 'guilt tipping' due to checkout prompts.
As tipping practices evolve, customer patience is wearing thin, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairness in how gratuities are calculated and requested.
