Understanding Tip Distribution Rules in the Payday Portal

Learn how to navigate the Payday Portal for tip distribution, including examples from Big Buns Ballston, Velocity Wings Fairfax, and Matchbox Bethesda.

March 13, 2026 By Wendy

In this guide, we'll learn how to navigate the Payday Portal to manage and understand tip distribution rules across different restaurant locations. We'll explore how to access and configure these rules, focusing on examples from Big Buns Ballston, Velocity Wings Fairfax, and Matchbox Bethesda. Understanding these configurations is crucial for ensuring fair and accurate tip distribution among staff, whether through individual tip retention or shared tip pools.

Let's get started

To log in to the Payday Portal:

In this example, we will view Big Buns Ballston. Click on the overflow menu and select the cogs icon.

Click on Tip Distribution Rules, select your location, and then expand the options.

Step #4: Click on "> TIP DISTRIBUTION RULES" — Click on "> TIP DISTRIBUTION RULES"

Step #6: Click on "Big Buns - Ballston 4401 Wilson Blvd" — Click on "Big Buns - Ballston 4401 Wilson Blvd"

For example, this location has just one tip-out rule for the entire day. You'll notice that these are represented by ones and zeros.

Anyone with a "1" is set up for tip-outs based on hours worked, while those with "0" are not configured to receive tips. If something is closed out in their name, like a manager or someone in the kitchen, their tips go to the tipping pool. Now, if we visit another location without a shared tip pool, such as Velocity Wings Fairfax, the process differs.

Step #10: Click on "Velocity Wings - Fairfax" — Click on "Velocity Wings - Fairfax"

They have tipping separated by lunch and dinner. For tipping, online orders go to the expediter if no host is clocked in.

Step #11: Click on "LUNCH" — Click on "LUNCH"

If there is a host, they receive 100% of the tips. Anything online goes to the servers if no Host or Expo, and in this case, servers keep 100% of their tips without sharing, which is why no rules are configured for the tip pool. Lastly, we'll examine a location that uses tip pooling by position.

In this example, we'll view Matchbox Bethesda.

In this example, Matchbox Bethesda follows the same rules for lunch and dinner shifts.

Step #14: Click on "LUNCH" to expand and view the rules. — Click on "LUNCH" to expand and view the rules.

Step #15: Click on "DINNER" to expand and view the rules. — Click on "DINNER" to expand and view the rules.

Servers tip out 3% of food sales to a group consisting of bar backs, bussers, and food runners. This 3% of their tips is pooled and split evenly among these positions. Additionally, 3% of liquor, beer, and wine sales goes directly to the bartenders.