Tip Jars

One way restaurants, bars especially, can easily organize and keep track of their tips is by using a tip jar. These are basically plastic carafes with screw-on bottoms, and sometimes they are imprinted with the words “Tips” or “Thank You.” The tapered shape of the jar makes it difficult for guests or servers with light fingers from helping themselves, but the screw-on bottoms make it easy for the bartender to pour out the cash at the end of the night.

One way to encourage guests to leave a tip is to “seed” the tip jar. This means before any guest arrives, you put a couple of bills into the jar ahead of time. Doing so gives the impression to any subsequent patrons that your service is exceptional and tip worthy. Seeding the jar with some fives, tens or maybe even a twenty will make you look like a superstar. But with all things, the service has to speak for itself.