The Complete Guide to Tipping at Subway in 2024
As one of America‘s largest and most popular fast food chains, Subway serves over 1.5 million customers daily at its over 22,000 locations nationwide. With so many customers and orders, questions around tipping often arise. Should you tip at Subway? Are employees allowed to accept tips? How much should you tip your sandwich artist or delivery driver?
This definitive guide provides everything you need to know about Subway‘s tipping policy, practices, and recommendations in 2024.
To Tip or Not to Tip: The Subway Tipping Dilemma
Tipping at fast casual chains like Subway inhabits a grey area. Sit-down restaurants where waiters provide full table service require tipping, which accounts for most of their income. Fast food chains are more convenient, affordable quick-stop options where tipping is not expected.
So where does Subway fall on this spectrum?
Pros of Tipping at Subway:
- Shows appreciation for good service
- Allows you to reward stand-out employees
- Helps supplement employees‘ wages
- Leads to faster service when you become a "regular"
Cons of Tipping at Subway:
- Fast food tipping etiquette is unclear
- Employees make minimum wage without tips
- Order process doesn‘t involve extensive service
Ultimately, whether you should tip your sandwich artist or delivery driver comes down to personal preference. Tipping is not required, but always appreciated. Know that your tip makes a difference to working employees.
The State of Tipping at Subway Locations
Policies around tipping vary between individually owned Subway franchises. According to one survey, only 37% of Subway locations had tip jars for customer tips. Of Subway employees polled, 59% said they receive tips from guests.
For locations without tip jars, cash tips may still be accepted if handed directly to an employee. Managers often forbid tip jars to prevent drawing attention to tips.
When tip jars are present, tips typically get divided among all staff working during that shift. Be sure to check your local Subway‘s tipping policy.
Are Subway Employees Legally Allowed to Accept Tips?
Laws around tip pooling and tip eligibility differ by state. In general, tip receiving and sharing policies must be fair and equitable.
| State | Tip Eligibility |
|---|---|
| California | Managers cannot accept tips under CA labor laws. Tips only distributed to non-managerial staff. |
| Texas | Managers can only accept tips if they provide direct customer service. |
| New York | Managers and supervisors may not keep any portion of tips. |
Consult your state‘s regulations before choosing to tip managers. Clarify with employees if unsure about tip jar distributions.
Tip Recommendations for Subway Customers
Now that you know whether tipping is allowed, how much should you tip at Subway? Here are some tip amount guidelines for great service:
For In-Store Orders:
- 15-20% of total order cost
- Minimum tip of $1-2 on orders under $10
- For catering orders over $100, tipping 18-20% is appreciated
For Delivery Orders:
- $5 tip for small delivery orders
- 15-20% tip for larger delivery orders
- Higher tips encouraged during bad weather
For Pickup Orders:
- Optional $1-3 tip for curbside pickup
- No obligation to tip on rapid pickup orders
As a customer, decide what level of tip motivates you to return and incentivizes employees to prioritize your orders.
Why Tipping Your Subway Employee Matters
Some argue Subway employees earn hourly wages, so they shouldn‘t rely on tips. However, the federal tipped minimum wage is still just $2.13 per hour in many states. Tips drastically supplement low base pay.
The median hourly wage for Subway sandwich artists is $10 per hour. Assuming a 30 hour work week, that‘s $1,200 per month or $14,400 per year in pre-tax income. For staff supporting families, every tip counts.
Your tips positively reinforce good service. When you regularly tip your favorite employees, you become a "priority customer." Your sub will come out faster and more accurately.
So while tipping remains optional, choose to tip when you receive exceptionally friendly service or wish to brighten an employee‘s day.
The Verdict: To Tip or Not To Tip
When all is said and done, whether and how much to tip at Subway remains a personal decision. Tipping at fast casual chains is still an evolving etiquette.
For the best insights on your local Subway‘s tipping practices, ask employees or observe other customers. Seek to understand franchise policies. And when in doubt, choose generosity.
