Are American diners experiencing tip fatigue? Mostly not.

Tipping has long been a staple of the American dining experience, but as conversations around “tipflation” grow louder, it’s worth examining whether diners are actually reaching a breaking point. YouGov data suggests the story is more nuanced and that claims of tip fatigue – at least insofar as it pertains to dining at restaurants with table service – might be slightly exaggerated.

While many believe tipping expectations have risen, Americans – especially frequent diners – still tend to view the practice in a positive light. They are likely to resist any moves to change the tipping system in favor of a fixed service charge or menu price increases.

Americans are experiencing rising pressure to tip, but most diners aren’t hassled by it

A clear majority of diners believe that tipping expectations have increased in recent years. Two in five US adults say expectations have “significantly” risen, and that number jumps to nearly half (49%) among frequent diners (defined as those who eat at restaurants with table service at least once a week).

Yet even with this perception of rising pressure to tip, the overall sentiment towards tipping remains tilted toward the positive. Almost three in five frequent diners (59%) report feeling positively about current practices, compared with just 23% who feel negatively. 

Even among regular diners, 47% feel positively about tipping practices, while only a quarter feel negatively (25%). Regular diners refer to those who eat at restaurants with table service at least once a month but less often than weekly.

Limited appetite for eliminating tipping

Despite growing debate about alternatives to tipping, most Americans are not on board with scrapping tips in favor of higher menu prices or fixed service fees.

While a substantial 30% of US adults say they would support such a change, 44% are opposed. Frequent diners are especially resistant, with a majority (51%) rejecting the idea. For many, tipping remains an ingrained and preferred method of rewarding service.

How elimination could change dining behavior

If tipping were to be replaced with higher menu prices or fixed service fees, the data suggests it wouldn’t create a boom in restaurant traffic. Four in ten US adults say their dining frequency wouldn’t change (40%), but an identical portion (37%) say they would dine out less often compared to just 11% who say they would go more often.

Among infrequent diners, replacing tips with higher menu prices or a fixed service fee is most likely to suppress visits. A quarter say they would dine much less often (25%), and another 13% say somewhat less often, versus just 9% who would go more often; 40% expect no change, and 13% are not sure. A shift to increased menu prices or a fixed service fee model could particularly alienate these casual diners.

Regular diners also lean similarly negative, with four in ten (39%) saying they would go less often compared with 9% saying more often, while 42% express no change in potential dining frequency.

Frequent diners are still net negative, but comparatively less so. About 35% say they would dine less often against 17% who would go more often; 39% expect no change, and 10% are not sure.

Even critics of tipping hesitate to embrace alternatives

Interestingly, even those who feel negatively about tipping are not guaranteed converts to a service-fee model. While 58% of this group say they would support eliminating tips, their anticipated behavior does not suggest a surge in restaurant visits. A majority (57%) of negative-leaning diners indicate their dining frequency would either remain unchanged or even decline if tipping were replaced. In other words, dissatisfaction with tipping does not automatically translate into enthusiasm for alternatives.

The bottom line

Tipping may be under more scrutiny than ever, but the American dining public largely remains at peace with it. The perception of growing expectations to tip coexists with a broad base of positive sentiment for the practice, especially compared to the likely alternatives. This is particularly true among frequent diners who shape much of restaurant culture.

Methodology: YouGov polled 1000 US adults on 14-15  August 2025. The survey was carried out through YouGov Surveys: Self-serve. Data is weighted by age, gender, political affiliation, education level and region. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Self-serve.