Requite is responding to the moment and help service professionals benefit from President Trump’s renewed commitment to making tips tax-free
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
On the heels of President Trump’s inauguration parade in which he doubled down on his promise to make service-industry workers’ tips non-taxable, Requite Microfinance has launched SimplyTip, a cutting-edge digital tipping platform designed to empower workers in the leisure, hospitality, and transportation industries by creating new opportunities for financial growth.
Requite wants to respond to the moment and help service professionals benefit from President Trump’s renewed commitment to making tips tax-free.
"SimplyTip is more than a tipping device; it’s effortless, guilt-free tipping for consumers and financial empowerment for workers,” said Avinash Birnale, Cofounder and CTO of Requite Microfinance. “Requite wants to respond to the moment and help service professionals benefit from President Trump’s renewed commitment to making tips tax-free. In fast-paced environments, like valet and shuttle services, as well as for commonly overlooked services like housekeeping, SimplyTip is a no-brainer for boosting income.”
Addressing Barriers to Tipping in a Cashless Economy
Polls out of Pew Research Center indicate that fewer than 40% of Americans carry cash regularly. SimplyTip eliminates barriers to tipping in an increasingly cashless world by introducing a novel, portable NFC-enabled EMV reader that allows for quick, secure, and pre-configured digital payments with a single tap from a phone or card. A recent study by Cornell shows that ‘1-click’ checkouts can boost spending by nearly 30%.
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Key Features of SimplyTip
“To demonstrate the transformative impact of SimplyTip, Requite is currently offering free pilots to hospitality clients in Florida,” said Adrien Hopkinson, Head of Product Growth and Strategy at Requite Microfinance. “We’re committed to helping businesses in high-turnover industries like valet services, hotels, and shuttles embrace frictionless tipping that empowers their employees and elevates the experience of the customer.”
Looking Ahead
Requite’s commitment to innovation extends beyond hospitality & leisure. SimplyTip will also serve non-profits, enabling instant, cashless donations via a simple tap or scan of a QR code. “Our approach to digital generosity isn’t just convenient and novel; it’s transformative, empowering industries and individuals alike”, Mr Birnale explained.
Mr Hopkinson added, “We’ve got our ear to the ground. In quick-service restaurants and other segments where tipping is built into an all-in-one POS, we are noticing growing disdain from customers. Tipping fatigue is real and it’s getting worse. The dreaded ‘Screen-Flip’, where the choice to get a black coffee suddenly becomes a perilous moral dilemma, is harming the reputation of businesses in ways that are just starting to be felt now. If there were an elegant, simple, end-to-end platform that eliminates these negative impacts while making cashless tipping easier than ever - wouldn’t you be interested?”
About Requite Microfinance
Requite Microfinance is a fintech innovator dedicated to empowering service workers and eliminating tipping barriers in a cashless economy. Through its ecosystem of NFC readers, mobile apps, and community portals, Requite ensures fairness, transparency, and efficiency in tipping and donations.
To learn more, visit: https://www.requite.tech/
MEDIA CONTACT:
Adrien Hopkinson, Requite Microfinance
321-800-8817 | adrien@requite.tech
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Requite’s mission is simple yet powerful: make tipping effortless, equitable, and guilt-free. Unlike existing systems that ...
This video on tipping culture has struck a chord with many of us, shedding light on the growing discomfort guests feel around tipping—especially as it becomes increasingly pervasive in situations where it wasn’t traditionally expected. From being prompted to tip at a drive-through window (00:02) to feeling compelled by pre-set tipping options on tablets (01:21), the video captures the frustrations of modern tipping culture perfectly. However, while we resonate with these challenges from the guest’s perspective, it’s equally important to consider the viewpoint of service professionals. For many, tips are not just a bonus but a critical part of their livelihood. This is where Requite steps in to bridge the gap between guests’ comfort and service professionals’ needs.
As highlighted in the video, guests often feel pressured to tip in situations where it feels unnecessary or excessive. Technologies like Clover and Toast have made tipping ubiquitous, but they’ve also exacerbated issues of guilt and resentment (06:10). A survey cited in the video revealed that 22% of consumers feel compelled to tip higher when presented with pre-set options—typically starting at 15% or more. For many, the act of tipping has shifted from a choice to an obligation.
On the other hand, service professionals face their own challenges. In 43 states, tipped workers can legally be paid less than the standard minimum wage, relying on tips to make up the difference (03:41). With inflation on the rise, the video notes that 17% of Americans are tipping less, leaving these workers with inconsistent and insufficient earnings (10:13). The pandemic further amplified this inequity, as tipping expectations grew while economic pressures mounted (04:41).
Requite’s mission is simple yet powerful: make tipping effortless, equitable, and guilt-free. The platform eliminates the awkwardness of deciding on a tip amount by offering pre-configured, customizable tip options—a direct response to the video’s critique of guests feeling guilted into tipping (01:58). Through its NFC-enabled portable readers, Requite ensures that tipping is as simple as a swipe or tap, removing the need for cash or cumbersome QR code interactions.
Unlike existing systems that prioritize the guest’s experience at the expense of the service professional, Requite strikes a balance. Guests enjoy a seamless experience, while service professionals benefit from consistent and fair tips, addressing the video’s concern about workers’ struggles with low wages and reduced tips (03:41, 10:13). Features like tip pooling, real-time analytics, and financial profiling empower workers and create transparency.
Requite is more than a tipping tool; it’s a bridge to a fairer and more sustainable tipping ecosystem. By addressing the root causes of tipflation and inequity, it ensures that low-income hospitality workers can supplement their earnings without placing undue stress on guests. Its pre-configured tipping model also alleviates the discomfort expressed in the video around deciding how much to tip (01:58, 06:10).
Through innovative technology and a socially conscious approach, Requite directly counters many of the issues raised in the video. By focusing on both guest convenience and service professional empowerment, Requite ensures a win-win solution that redefines tipping in the digital age. In a world where tipping has become a source of stress and confusion, Requite is here to create a better way forward for everyone.
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Digital tipping doesn’t just benefit bartenders—it improves the overall guest experience as well.
The bar scene has transformed dramatically in recent years. With more events offering prepaid drink packages and parties increasingly becoming cash-free, bartenders like Maya at an Airport Lounge in Los Angeles have felt the impact. Guests still want to show their appreciation, but when cash isn’t in hand, it can be difficult to express gratitude for great service. That’s where digital tipping comes in, offering a solution that ensures bartenders are still rewarded for their hard work—without relying on cash.
In modern nightlife, particularly in Los Angeles, many events come with prepaid drink packages. Whether it's a corporate event, a birthday celebration, or just a night out with friends, these packages make the guest experience smoother by eliminating the need for individual drink purchases. However, this convenience often leaves bartenders like Maya with a challenge—guests may no longer carry cash. A study by the Pew Research Center found that nearly 30% of Americans have stopped using cash for purchases altogether, making cash tips increasingly rare.
Digital tipping steps in to solve this problem. With preconfigured digital tip options, guests can quickly and easily show their appreciation, even if they’re not carrying physical money. For Maya, this means she no longer has to worry about missing out on tips just because the party’s drinks are prepaid.
One of the primary benefits of digital tipping for bartenders is the consistency it brings. Traditional tipping can fluctuate wildly depending on the type of event and whether or not guests remember to bring cash. In fact, a report by Forbes found that digital tips can increase tipping amounts by up to 11% more when they tip digitally. With digital tipping platforms, guests are more likely to leave a tip, as the option is presented seamlessly and without hassle.
For Maya, digital tipping has made her income more predictable and stable. The system ensures that tips are pre-set at reasonable levels, and guests can adjust them based on their level of satisfaction. This consistency not only boosts her earnings but also gives her peace of mind, knowing that her hard work will be recognized regardless of the party setup.
Digital tipping doesn’t just benefit bartenders—it improves the overall guest experience as well. No one enjoys the awkward moment at the bar, fumbling for a wallet to find cash for a tip. With digital tipping, guests at the Airport Lounge can simply tap a button and instantly reward Maya for her excellent service. This frictionless transaction leaves guests feeling better about the interaction and more satisfied with their night.
For events where drinks are prepaid by the host, digital tipping ensures that bartenders aren’t overlooked. Guests don’t have to worry about missing out on tipping opportunities because they aren’t carrying cash. They can still show their appreciation quickly, allowing them to enjoy the night without worrying about logistics.
For bartenders like Maya, digital tipping offers a solution to the cashless trends of modern nightlife. It ensures that hard-working bartenders are compensated fairly, even when guests don’t carry cash. The process is quick, secure, and leaves everyone feeling more satisfied. As nightlife continues to evolve, digital tipping is becoming a critical tool in ensuring that bartenders can focus on what they do best—making sure everyone has a great time.
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Emily, a barista featured on the Requite platform, is a prime example of how service professionals can benefit from digital tipping solution
Emily, a barista featured on the Requite platform, is a prime example of how service professionals can benefit from digital tipping solutions. As cash usage declines, Emily faces fewer tips from customers who don’t carry cash. Requite addresses this by allowing seamless tipping through credit cards, boosting her tips and giving her real-time earnings tracking. This empowers Emily to monitor her income and manage her finances better, while also building a financial profile that can help her access banking services.
The shift to a cashless society has left service professionals, such as baristas, waiters, and valets, at a tipping disadvantage. As digital payments like credit cards and mobile wallets dominate, cash tips have sharply declined. According to Bankrate, nearly 60% of Americans carry less than $20 in cash, making it harder for service professionals to earn tips.
Platforms like Requite offer a seamless, cashless tipping experience, enabling service professionals to maximize their earnings. Through pre-configured tip amounts and the ability to tip via credit cards, digital tipping increases tip frequency and size. According to a Toast report, restaurants using digital tipping solutions saw a 38% increase in tip amounts.
Moreover, digital tipping provides real-time earnings tracking and financial profiling, empowering service workers to manage their income better. This transparency is crucial for planning personal finances and can help service professionals access financial services like loans or credit based on their tipping records. According to the FDIC, approximately 5.4% of U.S. households remain unbanked, a gap that digital tipping platforms can help address by fostering financial inclusion.
Businesses benefit from offering digital tipping options as well. Not only does it improve employee retention by providing better earning opportunities for staff, but it also enhances the customer experience. A seamless, cashless tipping process ensures that customers tip more frequently, ultimately leading to higher employee satisfaction. The National Restaurant Association notes that positive customer experiences are crucial to retaining repeat business, and digital tipping contributes to this by removing friction from the tipping process.
Furthermore, platforms like Requite provide valuable data insights into tipping patterns, helping businesses optimize staffing and identify peak tipping times. By adopting digital tipping early, businesses can stay ahead of the competition, cater to cashless consumers, and improve both employee satisfaction and customer experience.
As society continues its shift toward cashless payments, service professionals need solutions that ensure their financial stability. Digital tipping platforms like Requite offer a clear pathway to higher earnings, financial control, and greater transparency. Businesses that adopt digital tipping tools not only support their employees but also enhance their own service offerings, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
For service professionals and businesses alike, embracing digital tipping is essential for success in the modern, cashless economy.
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The way we pay for things is changing rapidly. While credit cards and digital wallets have been on the rise for years, the COVID-19...
It's no secret that cash tips have been declining alongside cash usage. With fewer customers carrying cash, service workers are finding themselves with lighter pockets. This isn't just anecdotal; the data backs it up. A 2024 Federal Reserve study found that cash was used for only 16% of all transactions, a stark contrast to the 35% share it held in2015.
This decline hits those in the service industry particularly hard. Think about it: when was the last time you paid fora coffee, a haircut, or a taxi ride with cash? As we increasingly rely on cards and digital payments, those who depend on tips are feeling the pinch.
For many service workers, tips are a crucial part of their income. They help cover essential expenses, bridge the gap between wages and living costs, and provide a sense of financial security.The decline in cash tips is creating real challenges for these individuals, leading to:
● Lost income: With fewer cash tips, service professionals are seeing a direct reduction in their earnings.
● Budgeting difficulties: The unpredictable nature of cash tips makes it harder to budget and manage finances effectively.
● Increased financial stress: The loss of reliable tip income can contribute to financial anxiety and hardship.
The shift towards a cashless society is unlikely to reverse. This means that service industries need to adapt to ensure their employees are fairly compensated. Digital tipping solutions offer available way to bridge the gap and ensure that service professionals aren't left behind in this evolving landscape.
Requite is a digital tipping platform designed specifically for the needs of the service industry. It offers a seamless and convenient way for customers to tip using their preferred cashless methods, ensuring that service professionals don't miss out on well-deserved gratuity.
With Requite, businesses can:
● Increase tipping opportunities: Make it easy for customers to tip, regardless of their payment method.
● Empower employees: Provide a reliable and efficient way for employees to receive tips.
● Improve customer satisfaction: Offer a modern and convenient tipping experience.
The way we tip is evolving, and it's time for the service industry to embrace solutions that reflect the changing times. Requite is leading the way in ensuring that service professionals are fairly compensated and empowered in a cashless world.
Ready to learn more? Contact us today to discover how Requite can benefit your business and your employees.
The adoption of preconfigured digital tipping has transformed this aspect of his work, making tipping smoother and more beneficial for all.
In the hospitality industry, the concierge plays a crucial role in shaping a guest's experience. From arranging transportation to booking restaurants, the concierge ensures that every guest feels welcomed and cared for. However, when it comes to tipping, there’s often a moment of hesitation. Guests may struggle with deciding how much to tip or, in some cases, may forget to tip altogether. For Carlos, a seasoned hotel concierge, the adoption of preconfigured digital tipping has transformed this aspect of his work, making tipping smoother and more beneficial for everyone involved.
One of the most significant advantages of digital tipping is that it removes the guesswork from tipping. Many guests are unsure how much to tip in various situations, and this hesitation can create uncomfortable interactions. Preconfigured digital tipping allows hotels to set standard tip amounts, eliminating confusion and streamlining the process. Research suggests that when the tipping process is simplified, customers are more likely to leave a tip.
For Carlos, this translates into smoother guest interactions. He can now focus entirely on providing top-tier service without worrying about awkward moments at the end of an interaction. This seamless experience enhances guest satisfaction, as they appreciate not having to navigate the often ambiguous world of tipping.
For many service professionals, including concierges, tipping is a vital part of their income. However, cash tips can be unpredictable, leaving service providers unsure of what to expect each day. According to a study conducted by the National Employment Law Project, tipped workers often experience significant income instability. Preconfigured digital tipping addresses this by standardizing the tipping process and ensuring that concierges like Carlos receive consistent compensation for their services.
With digital tipping systems in place, Carlos benefits from a more predictable income stream. This not only improves his financial stability but also allows him to focus more on his work rather than worrying about whether guests will leave a tip.
Handling cash tips can be time-consuming for concierges who interact with dozens of guests daily. Managing and keeping track of cash tips is not only cumbersome but also poses security risks. Digital tipping eliminates the need for Carlos to handle physical cash and allows for instant transactions that are automatically recorded. According to a report from Hospitality Technology, hotels that implement digital payment systems, including tipping, see improved operational efficiency and reduced errors in transactions.
Guests also appreciate the convenience of digital tipping. Many travellers prefer to use credit cards and contactless payments over cash. Offering preconfigured tipping options aligns with these modern payment preferences, creating a frictionless experience that today’s tech-savvy guests value.
Ultimately, digital tipping helps strengthen the relationship between the concierge and the guest. By removing the transactional aspect from the forefront of the interaction, Carlos can focus entirely on ensuring that guests feel valued. Guests, in turn, feel more comfortable knowing that their gratuity is handled seamlessly, leaving a lasting positive impression.
In conclusion, preconfigured digital tipping offers significant benefits for concierges like Carlos. It simplifies the tipping process, ensures financial stability, and enhances the guest experience. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, digital tipping is becoming acritical tool for creating smoother, more enjoyable interactions between service providers and guests.
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