7 Strategies on How to Get More Tips as a Server

1. Bring a Consistently Positive Attitude

Without a doubt, this is the number one piece of advice on this list and it is the primary factor to get more tips as a server. Servers who are positive about their work and share their upbeat attitude with each and every customer can be expected to earn far more than those with a less rosy outlook on the job.

All it takes to understand this point is to see things through the eyes of the customer. When someone comes into a restaurant for a meal, they want to have a nice time. They might be celebrating a special event, going on a date, or just taking a break from cooking for themselves for a day. Whatever the case, they are almost always happy to be there.

One of the only things that is going to take away from their enjoyment of the meal is a grumpy, cranky restaurant server (well, that and bad food). If the server approaches the table with a smile and is happy to make the evening even better, the overall experience will be elevated, and a generous tip will become more likely.

2. Develop a Personal Connection with Your Customers

Being a server is a social position within the restaurant business. As the primary person who interacts with the diners and helps them have a good experience, you have a unique opportunity to forge a connection. Through quality service and casual conversation, you can build relationships that might prove to be surprisingly meaningful.

This is particularly true at establishments that have many repeat customers. When the same people come back time and again, they may even start to ask for you by name to be their server whenever possible. Not only will you enjoy the connections that are made and the relationships you build, but those loyal customers know you work hard for them and they are likely to reward you financially for the effort.

3. Master the Menu at Your Restaurant

This point is more about the nuts and bolts of performing your job as a server. In addition to taking orders and bringing out food, having a comprehensive understanding of the menu is another core responsibility. Diners will appreciate your expertise when you are able to steer them in the right direction after asking just a couple of questions about their tastes and preferences.

Think about your menu knowledge as a way to stand out in the eyes of your customers. They won’t always ask you for advice or more information about the menu, but when they do, it’s good to be prepared. Working together with the kitchen staff to understand how dishes are made, what they include, and how they taste will make you far more valuable overall as a server.

4. Upsell for Bigger Tips, But Tread Carefully

The math is simple – most people tip on a (rough) percentage basis, so a larger bill is going to lead to a larger tip. If a diner typically tips 10% every time they go out for a meal, they are going to leave $5 extra dollars for a $100 meal than they would leave for a $50 meal. Of course, if you can provide outstanding service, they might even do more than their usual 10%, leaving you with an even larger tip to take home.

Upselling is good for your employer, too, so everyone can win when it is done right. It’s easy to go too far and take away from the customer experience, however. You don’t want to come across as pushy or even annoying. Practice highlighting extras that could be added to an order – appetizers, drinks, and desserts are common upsell targets – without trying to force the issue. You want to build trust with the customer so they will take your recommendations seriously and hopefully act on some of them.

5. Stay Highly Organized

Some of the things you do to maximize tip earnings are related to going above and beyond for your customers. Other times, as with this piece of advice, is more about avoiding bad mistakes that can cause you to not receive any tips from some of your tables. If you get badly disorganized during a shift and wind up missing things or falling behind, people will get frustrated and your earnings will lag.

Having a system that you trust for recording all orders and requests is essential to make sure nothing is missed. Trying to hold too many things in your brain at once is a recipe for disaster – and even if you don’t forget anything, it’s a stressful process to get it right. However your personal system for staying organized works, stick with it day after day and you’ll become a reliable server with a good reputation.

6. Be Gracious When Criticized 

Even the best servers are going to have things go wrong. In fact, it’s often the case that those things aren’t your fault, but you are the one who takes the brunt of the criticism. It’s easy to lose your cool in the face of such complaints but do your best to stay calm and resolve the situation to everyone’s satisfaction.

Dealing with complaints is part of working in any hospitality position, and it’s especially common for servers. You can improve your overall tip income by dealing with these situations in an understanding and level-headed manner. A diner who isn’t happy and tells you about their problem might wind up leaving a good tip if you successfully navigate the issue and enable them to leave happy in the end.

7. Wrap Things Up 

Even the best servers are going to have things go wrong. In fact, it’s often the case that those things aren’t your fault, Your final interaction with a given party before they leave the restaurant will usually represent one last chance to make a good impression. When you deliver the bill, asking things like how they enjoyed the food or what they are doing with the rest of their day will only further establish you as a caring and invested server. They are probably just moments from deciding how much to leave you for a tip, so master the art of wrapping things up on positive terms and you should see an increase in overall earnings.