Should you tip at Chuck E. Cheese?

A mom says she was asked for a tip on a $325 Chuck E. Cheese order. The server told her the tip could be paid in cash or with the Cash App. The customer didn’t even realize she was expected to tip at Chuck E. Cheese.

Servers in the United States rely on tips to make up a significant portion of their income. The federal minimum wage with tips in the country is just $2.13 — meaning that if a server wants to make a significant amount of money, they must rely on customers to provide those funds.

The system is not without controversy. Americans have reported significant “tipflation” in recent years, saying that more and more places are asking for tips, and for higher amounts. This includes asking for tips at self-checkout, when shopping online, and for amounts as high as 40 percent of the total bill.

Still, many customers want to tip their servers. But given how common tipping is and the changing nature of tip percentages, some are unsure where to tip and how much to give. Such is the case in a recent story at Chuck E. Cheese’s in which a mom claims a server asked her for a tip via Cash App.

Should you tip at Chuck E. Cheese?

In a video with more than 650,000 views, TikTok user Tiff (@yabishtiff1) asks if she left a Chuck E. Cheese waiter an appropriate tip after giving him $30 on a $325 bill.

“I honestly didn’t know you tipped them,” she explains.

Although Tiff was happy to tip, she says the receipt didn’t include instructions on how to do so. As a result, the waitress told her she could give cash or send the money through Cash App.

Tiff then tries to justify how much to tip at a place like Chuck E. Cheese.

“Because Chuck E. Cheese is also kind of self-service,” he explains. “You get up and get your own drinks, get your own salads, and your kids are running around half the time. It’s not like they’re waiting and getting their drinks refilled and stuff like that. They’re not chained to the table like you are as a real waitress.”

Looking online didn’t help her concerns either, as the answers about tips were mixed. She ends her video by asking viewers if she tipped appropriately.

@yabishtiff1 Let me know because I’ll call the store ASAP, I feel bad about it lol #sos #help #chuckecheese ♬ original sound – Tiff

Should you tip at Chuck E. Cheese??

On Indeed, numerous “party hosts” have reviewed jobs and mentioned that tips are sometimes earned in the role. However, few have said that tips are expected.

“Party hosts are allowed to tip, which is pretty cool!” said one Indeed reviewer. “It’s not at all common, but you can get over $100.”

“I used to host parties part-time, which is hard work but can be fun,” another said. “TIPS ARE NOT GUARANTEED.”

“Great job that’s really rewarding, but only $10 an hour and no tip section on the bill, so tips are rare,” said a third.

Glassdoor lists an expected pay range of $12 to $15 per hour, indicating that servers likely earn more than the minimum tipped amount. It’s unclear whether tipping servers using apps like Cash App is common, though given that there’s no line on the receipt for servers who accept tips, it may have been this server’s workaround.

@yabishtiff1 Let me know because I’ll call the store ASAP, I feel bad about it lol #sos #help #chuckecheese ♬ original sound – Tiff

The general consensus in the comments section was that Tiff’s tip was adequate.

“It’s a Chuck E’s so I would only tip for the food and drinks, not the whole thing and the games. $30 seems like a good tip considering what the food and drinks were probably worth,” one user said.

“As someone who worked at Chuck E Cheese’s parties. No one usually tipped anyone. It was very rare that we got tips, and if we did, it was like 20 bucks,” recalled another. “You’re good, lol.”

“I was a Chuck E Cheese birthday party host in high school. I always enjoyed tips and never expected a specific amount since we were paid by the hour,” explained another TikTok user.

The Daily Dot contacted Chuck E. Cheese and Tiff via email.

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