Don’t forget to tip your robots.
A hungry Popeyes customer visited the Great Lakes Crossing mall location in Auburn Hills, Michigan and ordered his meal at a kiosk. When it was time to pay, the self-service machine asked for a tip.
The diner, who posted the exchange on a popular Facebook group called Retail Dead or Alive, revealed, “Popeye’s ordering kiosk asked me for a tip today.” He then added picture proof where the display showed “Add a tip? A small way to thank the folks behind your crispy, juicy meal.”
The chicken chain first announced the kiosks back in 2024 on an earnings call where CEO of Restaurant Brands International — parent company of Popeyes — Josh Kobza revealed nearly 85% of stores will add in the self-service pods by 2026.
Kobza claimed the modernization, much like Burger King’s move, will cut wait times, reduce order errors and “enhance the employee experience.” But how do customers feel about a machine asking for a tip? Well, look at the Facebook comments.
“Delusional. I’d ask for a manager and tell them to get [rid of] that screen. When he says no, I tell him I won’t be back. If enough people do that, it [goes] away,” one user wrote.
Another wrote, “I have tipping fatigue.” While a third commenter simply put, “Insulting”
It’s not clear when the kiosks started prompting customers for a tip, but TikToks from 2023, when some were piloted in select stores, show customers ordering with no tipping selection. The diners would simply add items to their order, click pay and were then given an option of checking out with a cashier or at the machine — no tipping feature anywhere.
The Post contacted Popeyes for comment but has not heard back.
Popeyes isn’t the only chain with robots begging for tips. As companies add the tech to their stores, customers feel employees are doing less work but still asking for tips. The Wall Street Journal revealed back in 2023 that self-checkout machines at places like coffee shops, bakeries, airports and sports stadiums are giving folks the option of a 20% tip.
Business owners are defending the move, saying tips can boost staff pay and increase gratuities, but customers are left wondering where and to whom the extra cash is going, given the work is not done by the employees.
“They’re cutting labor costs by doing self-checkout. So what’s the point of asking for a tip? And where is it going?” Ishita Jamar, a senior at American University in Washington, DC, who has noticed more self-serve tip cues, told WSJ.
Despite the tipping tension, July 27 is National Chicken Finger Day and Popeyes decided to hop on the trend and offer up a deal on its popular 11-count chicken finger meal. The fast food giant partnered with DoorDash and Uber Eats to give fans 11 crispy Chicken Tenders, one large side and four of its famous buttery biscuits all for $25.
For those pinching pennies, diners can get the deal in-store for only $20. But be quick, the promo ends today. To avoid tipping the robot, maybe order from a cashier.
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