Restaurant Receipt Generator
Use this restaurant receipt template to create receipts with itemized food and drink orders, suggested tip amounts at 15/18/20%, auto-gratuity for large parties, and a sales tax line at your state's rate. Free. Download as PNG or PDF for expense reports or client-entertainment records.
Restaurant receipts include the restaurant name, server name, table number, party size, check number, itemized food and drink orders, subtotal, sales tax (food and beverage rate by state), suggested tip amounts (15%/18%/20% on pre-tax or post-tax base), auto-gratuity for parties of 6+ (typically 18-20%), and total. Receipts are required for business meal deductions (50% deductible per IRS Section 274), client-entertainment records, expense reimbursement, and per-diem documentation. POS systems like Toast and Square print tip suggestions and auto-gratuity in standard formats.
The gratuity line: what sets a restaurant receipt apart
A restaurant receipt is the only common receipt type with a built-in tip prompt. The bottom of the check includes suggested tip amounts (typically at 15%, 18%, and 20%) calculated from either the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total. On a $100 check with 8.5% tax, a 15% to 20% tip differs by $1.28 to $1.70 between the two bases.
Auto-gratuity is a mandatory service charge for large parties (typically 6 or more guests), automatically added at 18–20%. It is a separate financial line from a voluntary tip and is taxable in some states as a revenue line for the restaurant. To show it, add an AUTO-GRAT line item with the amount. The editor does not calculate it.
Pre-tax vs post-tax tip: the math difference
| Scenario | Base Amount | 20% Tip | Total with Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tip on pre-tax subtotal ($100 food) | $100.00 | $20.00 | $128.50 |
| Tip on post-tax total ($100 food + 8.5% tax) | $108.50 | $21.70 | $130.20 |
The editor does not calculate tips, so type the suggested amounts into the Custom Message section.
Restaurant receipt sample
| Item | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CAESAR SALAD | 1 | $11.00 |
| GRILLED SALMON | 1 | $26.50 |
| RIBEYE 12OZ | 1 | $39.00 |
| MASHED POTATOES | 1 | $6.00 |
| HOUSE RED GLASS | 2 | $19.00 |
| CHEESECAKE | 1 | $8.50 |
| Subtotal | $110.00 | |
| Sales Tax (8.5%) | $9.35 | |
| TOTAL | $119.35 | |
Tip Suggestions (on subtotal)
15% = $16.50 · 18% = $19.80 · 20% = $22.00
SERVER: JESSICA · TABLE: 14 · CHECK #: 4482
How to generate a restaurant receipt in 4 steps
- 1
Select restaurant receipt type
Open the receipt generator and choose Restaurant Receipt from the Food & Dining category. The editor loads sample food and drink lines that you can edit.
- 2
Enter restaurant and order details
Add the restaurant name, server name, table number, check number, and date. Enter each menu item with quantity and price. Add any drinks, appetizers, or shared items as separate lines.
- 3
Configure gratuity and tax
Add any auto-gratuity as its own line and type tip suggestions into the Custom Message section. Pick your state to fill in its base sales tax rate, then mark each line taxable (X) or non-taxable (N).
- 4
Download as PNG or PDF
Preview the receipt live as you type. Download as PNG for quick sharing or as PDF for expense reporting, client-entertainment deductions, or per-diem records.
Who uses a restaurant receipt generator?
- ✓Document a business dinner for an expense report or client-entertainment deduction
- ✓Keep a copy of a restaurant meal for your own records (for a credit card statement reconciliation, ask the restaurant for a copy of the receipt)
- ✓Record a group dinner with auto-gratuity for a corporate event
- ✓Build a restaurant POS training sample with party-size auto-gratuity
- ✓Create a prop receipt for a dining scene in film or theater
Frequently asked questions about restaurant receipts
Does a restaurant receipt calculate tip options automatically?
No. The editor does not calculate tips, but you can type suggested tip amounts at 15%, 18%, and 20% into the Custom Message section, worked out on the pre-tax subtotal or the post-tax total.
What is auto-gratuity and when does it appear on a restaurant receipt?
Auto-gratuity is a mandatory service charge, typically 18–20%, added automatically to bills for large parties (usually 6 or more). To show it, add an AUTO-GRAT line item with the amount. The editor does not calculate it.
Should tip be calculated on the pre-tax or post-tax total?
Tipping conventions vary. Calculating on the pre-tax subtotal is technically correct and slightly lower; calculating on the post-tax total is simpler and increasingly common.
Can I add an itemized bar tab to a restaurant receipt?
Yes. Each drink prints as a separate line item with quantity and price. Some states tax drinks separately. Kansas charges a 10% liquor drink tax on drinks sold by clubs, caterers, and drinking establishments, and Texas charges an 8.25% mixed beverage sales tax. The editor applies one sales tax rate to all taxable lines. Pick your state to fill in its base sales tax rate, then mark each line taxable (X) or non-taxable (N).
How are split-check receipts handled?
Split-check receipts show a subset of the full table's items with the split portion of the shared items (like appetizers and shared sides) distributed evenly. The editor has no split feature, so make one receipt per person with that person's items and their share of any shared items.
Can I include a service charge that is not a tip?
Yes. Some restaurants charge a mandatory service fee (separate from gratuity) to cover employee benefits or kitchen staff. This prints as a SERVICE CHARGE line and is taxable in some states, unlike a traditional tip. Mark the service charge line taxable (X) or non-taxable (N) to match your state's rule.
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Ready to generate your restaurant receipt?
Free for all receipt types. No account required. Download as PNG or PDF.