Could a Small Fix to the App Could Boost Tips... and Possibly Employee Morale?

Not sure if this has come up before, but I think the tipping process through the Starbucks app could use a rethink.

A barista recently told me that employees don’t see who tipped, or how much, at the time of the transaction — it’s all pooled and distributed at the end of the day. That means no real-time recognition, no way to say thank you, and no feedback loop for customers who do tip.

What if the sticker on the drink (the one with the order details) included a small “Thanks for tipping!” note when someone adds a tip through the app? It wouldn’t cost Starbucks anything, but it could go a long way in encouraging more people to tip.

I get that tipping is a touchy subject right now, especially with prices rising everywhere. But even if only 10% of mobile orders include tips (like Uber/Lyft rides), that 10% adds up. And a little recognition could nudge more people to throw in $1 or $2 — which makes a real difference for the folks behind the counter. We tip bartenders (rightfully so) for pouring whiskey from a bottle directly into a shot glass, so how does the person going thru the tedious iced matcha late process not deserve the same love?

Just seems like a win-win: better morale, more transparency, and no extra cost to the company.