Delivery drivers work in a potentially dangerous job.
Delivery drivers bring food from a restaurant, such as a pizza place, Chinese food restaurant or any other food service which offers home delivery, to a home. The delivery driver uses his vehicle to bring the food to the customers' houses during all types of weather conditions. Customers should customarily give a tip to the delivery driver who brings food to their homes.
Minimum Tip
On average, a minimum tip for a delivery driver, whether it is pizza or any other food, should be at least 15 percent of the food cost. This is a courtesy amount for average services in any food industry job which receives tips. If the service is poor, a lower tip of 10 percent is appropriate. For a fast delivery, a 20 percent tip is appropriate.
Special Considerations in Tipping
Delivery drivers who are bringing food in poor weather conditions or driving more than three miles should receive a slightly higher tip. Poor weather conditions are potentially harmful to a delivery driver due to ice or heavy rain causing slick roads. The added tip is a courtesy showing gratitude for delivering in the bad weather. For longer trips, the courtesy is extended due to the potential for a longer drive. The website Tip the Pizza Guy points out that a five mile delivery can result in a 30 minute drive in many residential areas when adding the return trip.
Reasons for Tipping
Delivery drivers, like waitresses, receive lower than minimum wage while making deliveries in most companies. Federal law considers that delivery drivers receive a tip when they bring food to houses. Giving tips helps cover the cost of gas prices for the driver as well as helps average out the lower than minimum wage they receive. There is also the potential danger to a delivery driver. Mike Connors of "The Virginian-Pilot" states that delivery drivers are a target for both pranksters and even robbers, making it potentially deadly.
Similarity to Waiters
A delivery driver has a similar job as a waiter or waitress. As far as work is concerned, the driver serves roughly the same number of customers and handles similar problems. The driver has the disadvantage of having to drive back and forth if there is a problem with the food. The delivery driver, unlike the waitress, provides a service of convenience for the customer by bringing the food to a customer's home rather than the customer coming into the store.
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