Tip Jar Ideas for Cafés, Bars and Restaurants (and the Rules)

Tip jar ideas

• The vote: two jars with a question, like “Coffee or tea?” or “Summer or winter?”.
• Say where tips go: “Tips are shared with the whole team today.”
• Seasonal: change the sign for holidays and local events.
• Goal jar: “Helping our team fund a staff outing.” Only if it is true.
• Card option: a QR code or tip screen for customers who do not carry cash.
• Keep it clean: a clear, tidy jar near the register gets noticed.

Sign wording examples

• “Tips make our day, and our coffee stronger.”
• “Thank you for supporting our team.”
• “Fear change? Leave it here.”

The rules on tips

• Employers, managers and supervisors may not keep employees’ tips under the FLSA.
• Tip pools are allowed, with rules that depend on whether you take a tip credit. See tip pooling rules and the tip pooling calculator.
• States can add stricter rules, so check local law.

This is general information, not legal advice. Read more in time tracking for tipped employees.

Split tips by hours worked

Many tip pools are split by hours worked. EZTime tip pooling uses clock-in data, so each employee’s share matches the hours on their timesheet.

Frequently asked questions

Where should a tip jar go?

Next to the register or pickup counter, where customers pay or wait.

Can my manager take from the tip jar?

Under federal law, managers and supervisors cannot keep employees’ tips.

How are tip jar tips split?

Often by hours worked in a tip pool that follows federal and state rules.

Split tips by real hours worked. Start your 14-day trial or book a demo.

Updated November 2026. General information only; not legal advice.