We recommend tipping catering delivery 15–20% of the food subtotal, with a $3 minimum.
Do you tip catering delivery drivers?
Yes. We recommend a tip for the driver who drops off a catering order, even when no one stays to serve.
How much to tip catering delivery
This page covers the person who drops off the food. It is not the tip for servers, bartenders, or a captain at a staffed party. Those roles are on Catering tipping etiquette.
Take 15–20% of the food subtotal. If that amount is under $3, tip $3. The food subtotal leaves out tax, a delivery fee, rental of chafing dishes, and any line already named gratuity or tip.
Quick presets
Tip Amount
$5.40
Total
$35.40
Effective tip
18%
Enter the food subtotal. The calculator starts at 18% and never shows less than $3. Leave Delivery Distance on Medium and Weather on Normal, because the other settings add 2 to 5 percentage points.
These rows are arithmetic, not a caterer's prices.
| Food subtotal | At 15% | At 18% | At 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $18 | $3.00 (minimum) | $3.24 | $3.60 |
| $80 | $12.00 | $14.40 | $16.00 |
| $150 | $22.50 | $27.00 | $30.00 |
| $400 | $60.00 | $72.00 | $80.00 |
| $900 | $135.00 | $162.00 | $180.00 |
An $18 drop-off at 15% is $2.70, so the tip is $3. A $150 drop-off at 18% is $27.
Read the invoice before you add it
If the invoice already has a gratuity or tip line, ask the caterer whether it goes to the driver. If it does, you have already tipped. If the caterer says the line is a service charge and not a tip, add 15–20% for the driver.
A staffed event, with people who stay and serve, is a different job. Use Catering tipping etiquette and the Catering tip calculator for that crew. If the driver also stays to serve, tip them once, as part of the crew. If a separate driver only dropped off, tip that driver 15–20% as well.
When to use 20%
Use 20% when the driver carries the order up stairs, sets chafing dishes in place, or delivers in rain, snow, or extreme heat. Use 15%, or the $3 floor, for a handoff at the door.
Cash or on the invoice
Write the tip on the invoice if there is a tip line, or hand the driver cash. One tip. The same delivery tool is on the Delivery tip calculator page.