News

California officially has the stingiest restaurant tippers in America

California gets the title of the lowest tippers in the country while Delaware are the highest tippers. ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Vitaly Gariev

California has been awarded a title that isn't exactly worth bragging about. A recent study by Toast (a restaurant technology company) named Californians the worst tippers in the country, and the blame is already being passed around.

Californians are last out of 50 states surveyed

Tipping at restaurants is the norm across the country, but what's not standard is the amount people tip. Toast's data showed that the average restaurant tip in the country in 2026 is about 18.8%.

So where do Californians sit on this list? At the very bottom of the 50 states surveyed. The average tip in CA is 17.1% per transaction.

In sit-down restaurants, Californians tipped slightly more at 17.6%. Those working behind the fast-food counter are out of luck, though, as the tip fell to 14.8% at these restaurants.

Several reasons for lower tips

Looking into the data a little deeper, there are several factors at play and reasons that Californians may be tipping less.

William Michael Lynn, a professor emeritus of consumer behavior and marketing at Cornell University, says that much of this can be blamed on anti-tipping sentiment spreading across the country.

“People’s attitudes towards tipping have gotten worse. They’ve started to dislike it more and more,” Lynn told the California Post.

It's also common for diners to tip less based on how much personal interaction or table service they have. This explains why fast-food restaurants typically see lower tips.

Delaware gets the top spot

As for the highest tippers in the country, that title belongs to diners in Delaware. Its average tip is 22.1%. Sit-down restaurants had a slightly higher average of 22.5%, while quick-service restaurants averaged 18%.

The averages have remained relatively the same over the past two years; the future is a bit more questionable.

A reality check on where you fall

These results can serve as a reality check on where you fall in terms of tipping and help you decide how much to leave your server.

Source: The Print

Costco food court favorite returns with an unwanted change

The Costco food court is notorious for its affordable options, many of which are fan favorites. The chain has been hyping up the return of its twisted churros, but before you rush to get yours, expect it to taste a little different. Not the item shoppers know and love It&

Abbott forced to pay $384 million over contaminated baby formula claims

Abbott Laboratories is about to lose $384 million over allegations that powdered infant formula was made in conditions that could have put babies at risk. The healthcare giant has agreed to pay more than $384 million to settle allegations that it caused false claims to be submitted to federal and

Drivers are getting a $694 million settlement over predatory auto loans

Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC), one of the biggest auto finance companies in the U.S., has agreed to a $694 million settlement with 41 state attorneys general over allegations that it pushed risky auto loans onto consumers who could not reasonably afford them. The deal will send $60 million in

Drivers to receive refunds in $57.5M red light settlement

People in Suffolk County will be shocked to hear that they may be getting money back from the government. The County has settled a lawsuit requiring it to pay back $45 million regarding a $30 administration fee. The county will reimburse drivers The settlement comes after the long-awaited Long