Tipping culture in America is once again under the spotlight – and this time a viral Denny’s receipt is at the center of the storm.
The incident centers on a server, who employed what some are calling a clever – and risky – tactic to boost their gratuity.
The customer told the server to ’round up to $70′ on a check that originally totaled $55.25 before tax – with the rest as a tip. After tax, that would have left a tip of just over $10.
The server then applied a 25 percent employee discount, reducing the bill to $44.79. This meant the worker walked away with a $25.21 tip, while the restaurant received $13.84 less than it otherwise would have.
A photo of the receipt quickly went viral on X and Reddit, with some users slamming the employee’s move and warning that it could be grounds for termination. Others, however, saw no issue.
‘The customer stated willingness to pay $70. The customer paid exactly $70, as expected,’ one commenter wrote on Reddit.
‘The employee just scammed their boss out of $13.84 that would have gone to the restaurant. The customer has nothing to complain about here.
‘The employer, well, they may not like it, or maybe the location manager doesn’t give a damn – but not the customer.’
In a Reddit thread titled ‘end tipping,’ a user posted a photo of a Denny’s check showing that a customer had asked a worker to round the total up to $70
Stock image of a Denny’s server delivering plates to a family. The person pictured is not connected to the incident described in this story
Another Redditor added: ‘Good! The business steals from the employees all the time using legal but immoral tactics.
‘I don’t encourage stealing, but if someone does it regardless, good on them. Besides, did they really steal? I mean the employee used a discount they are entitled to. But this time, instead of food, they got $.’
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: ‘I’m against tipping and im not even mad at this. Customer literally payed $70 regardless.’
The viral post comes amid broader scrutiny of tipping practices across the country.
Recently, another receipt shared online sparked backlash – but this time, it was the restaurant’s official policy under fire.
Burdell, which was crowned the best restaurant in the country in 2025 by Food & Wine, has faced criticism over a message printed at the bottom of its receipts.
The Oakland establishment was praised for its ‘totally fresh take on California soul food’ and homestyle dishes serving up ‘slow-simmered nostalgia.’ But some diners have taken issue with its automatic 20 percent service charge – and the explanation accompanying it.
‘Tipping in the US has an ugly past, allowing the continuation of underpaid labor,’ the note reads.
‘We don’t like that history. Included on your check is a 20 percent service charge, which we use to pay hourly staff a consistent and livable wage – not dependent on archaic tipping customs or chance. No need to add anything else.’
Tipping culture in America is ever a hot topic. And now a recently surfaced restaurant receipt has reignited the debate. The incident centers on a server at Denny’s
The automatic charge – and the reference to tipping’s historical roots – sparked fury online.
In a now-deleted Reddit post that went viral, a customer shared a photo of a Burdell receipt highlighting the 20 percent service fee.
A similar complaint surfaced on Facebook from diners Andrian and Mirela, who posted a photo of their February 1 bill showing a total of $161 before the automatic charge was added.
Despite the backlash, Burdell owner and chef Geoff Davis told the Daily Mail that the policy is clearly communicated and that the restaurant does not request additional tips.
‘For too long, restaurant workers have been vulnerable. In many states, people are paid a sub-minimum wage starting at $2.13 an hour,’ he said, defending the decision.
‘In this country, the origins of tipping are divisive, and tipping doesn’t work. It places the risk of financial harm on the employee.’
Davis, who opened Burdell in 2023 following a successful run as a pop-up, said he has no plans to change the policy despite the criticism.
Burdell is far from alone. Across the US, a growing number of restaurants have adopted automatic 20 percent service charges, arguing that the model guarantees higher, more stable wages and moves away from the traditional tipping system.
While some diners view the practice as excessive, it is becoming an increasingly common – and sometimes mandatory – feature of dining out in America.
