Branch Launches TipCalc for Automated Restaurant Tip Pooling

In Short

• Branch launched TipCalc, a tool that automates tip pooling and cashless tip payouts for restaurants.
• The product connects to POS systems, applies custom sharing rules, and pays out tips nightly.
• Branch says it reduces close-out errors and staff disputes by adding transparency and reporting.

What Happened

Branch has launched TipCalc, a new product for restaurants that automates tip pooling, the process of combining tips and splitting them across staff using agreed rules.

TipCalc is part of Branch, a workforce payments provider. The company says restaurants often run tip pools with spreadsheets and manual calculations, which can take hours and lead to mistakes.

TipCalc integrates with point-of-sale systems, also called POS, the software used to take orders and payments at the till. Branch says the integration pulls real-time sales and labour data, then applies rule-based workflows, meaning managers set the sharing rules once and the system runs the calculations automatically.

Restaurants can configure tip sharing based on revenue centres, job codes, and other operational policies. At the end of the day, TipCalc calculates final tip allocations and distributes cashless tips directly to workers nightly, including weekends and holidays.

Workers can receive tips into their Branch account at no cost, or send funds instantly to a debit card for a small fee. TipCalc also includes reporting for managers and staff, plus controls like alerts for unusually large tips so a manager can review flagged transactions before payouts are final.

Why It Matters

For restaurants, tip pooling is both a payroll-like process and a trust issue. When calculations are manual, small errors can create disputes and slow down close-out.

Tools like TipCalc push tip operations closer to real-time payments infrastructure, where data from POS systems flows directly into payouts. That matters for businesses operating on thin margins and for workers who rely on daily earnings.

For operators in hospitality, including multi-site restaurant groups, automating tip reconciliation can also reduce cash handling and pre-funding needs. That can simplify compliance, auditing, and end-of-night processes, especially as more tips move to cards and other cashless payments.