The Impact of Tabletop POS Systems on Restaurant Servers' Tip Amounts

This study investigates how tabletop point-of-sale (POS) systems impact the server’s tips compared to having the check come to the table. Servers who have had tabletop POS systems come into their workplace have thought they have felt a decrease in tips because of these systems, but no research has been done on this exact topic before to validate or invalidate those feelings. This is why this study will answer the question of, “How does the use of a tabletop POS system affect restaurant server’s tip amount?” This question will be answered by a qualitative study with a quasi-experimental design, done by having a single restaurant use the tabletop pos system for a week, and then use the checks that are delivered to the table for a week, and we will analyze the data between these two weeks to see if there is any impact one way or another at all. There have been studies that have proven many things about ways that server’s tips are impacted, this can range from anything about attempting to raise customer satisfaction, to using their names more, to even if repeating an order is annoying to the customer or helpful. These are all things that have helped inform our study to be able to solely focus on the tabletop POS system. This study has many applications to it, mainly for servers and management who are working in the food and beverage industry. To keep the servers happy and more willing to stay at their job, it is helpful for managers to want to maximize their tip opportunities, and if the tabletop pos systems are being hurtful, it might impact the turnover rate. As for the servers, they want to maximize their profits at their own job.