This calculator helps you determine appropriate tips for catering deliveries based on order value, guest count, setup requirements, and service complexity.

Catering Service Type:

Order Total ($):

Number of Guests:

Number of Catering Staff:

Additional Services:

Hot Food Handling

Equipment Setup (Chafing Dishes, etc.)

Special Dietary Accommodations

Delivery Location Difficulty:

Easy Access Moderate Difficulty Difficult Access (Stairs, Far Carry)

Tip Calculation Method:

Percentage

Flat Amount

Per Staff

Catering Delivery Tip Calculation

Order Total:	$0.00
Base Tip:	$0.00
Service Adjustment:	$0.00
Difficulty Adjustment:	$0.00
Total Recommended Tip:	$0.00
Tip Per Staff Member:	$0.00
Total with Tip:	$0.00

Catering Delivery Tipping Guide

When tipping catering delivery staff, consider these industry standards:

Drop-Off Only: 10% of the total bill or $5-$10 per delivery person
Basic Setup: 15% of the total bill or $10-$20 per staff member
Full Setup: 15-18% of the total bill or $20-$30 per staff member
Staffed Events: 18-20% of the total bill (if gratuity not already included)
Complex Orders: Consider higher percentages for large guest counts or special accommodations
Delivery Difficulty: Add extra for difficult access locations or bad weather

Note: Many catering services include a service charge (often 15-20%) in the bill, but this may not all go to the staff. Check if gratuity is already included before adding additional tip.

Understanding Catering Service Fees vs. Tips

It's important to understand the difference between service fees and gratuities:

Service Fee/Charge: Often retained partly or entirely by the catering company to cover operational costs
Delivery Fee: Typically covers transportation costs and doesn't go directly to delivery staff
Gratuity/Tip: Goes directly to the staff members who handled your order

When in doubt, ask the catering company how their fees are distributed and if gratuity is already included in your bill.

When to Tip Catering Staff

Different catering services may warrant different tipping approaches:

On-Site Staff: Tip at the end of the event, in cash if possible
Delivery Only: Tip at the time of delivery
Setup and Return: Consider splitting the tip, with some at setup and the rest at cleanup
Multiple-Day Events: Consider tipping daily rather than one lump sum at the end
Large Events: For weddings or corporate events, designate someone to handle tipping

Cash tips are preferred as they can be distributed immediately to the staff who served you.