Some North Carolinians aren't leaving the standard 20% tip, dragging our average restaurant gratuity to a mediocre 19.3%, according to Toast data.

The big picture: We're not far off from the national average. Tips at full-service restaurants averaged 19.2% in Q4 2025, the same as the previous quarter, per Toast's latest restaurant trends report.

• "After a pullback in full-service restaurant tips in Q2 2025, the average has leveled out," Toast's Brian Koerber wrote in the report.
• Tips at fast-food joints also held steady at 15.8%.

Zoom out: Delaware, West Virginia, New Hampshire and Indiana are home to America's best tippers, with diners leaving roughly 21% or higher on average.

• At the bottom of the list for overall tipping are California, Washington, D.C., and Washington state, where averages run under 18%.

The fine print: The report is based on data from restaurants using the Toast platform.

• Cash tips aren't included.

The bottom line: Tipping culture may be under scrutiny, but diners' habits are holding steady.

North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, a Republican, emphasized to the Charlotte business community Thursday that he is eager to raise starting teacher pay to $50,000, or "number one in the South," as the General Assembly works past a budget impasse this short session.

Why it matters: North Carolina ranks abysmally low in public school funding, landing at 39th in the nation for average starting teacher salary ($42,542) and 37th in per-pupil funding, per the National Education Association.

What they're saying: "North Carolina is number one in business, last in per pupil spending," Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board chair Stephanie Sneed told Hall during a Q&A at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance on Thursday. "I don't think that trend can continue if we keep having that gap."

• Hall told Sneed he agreed: "That's mainly what the fight, so to speak, has been about. We could have had a budget a year ago, but it wouldn't, in my judgment, have done much to fix those issues."
• Hall said teacher pay is especially a concern for border counties like Mecklenburg that have to compete with other states for educators.
• "They may raise pay some, and a starting teacher might make $10,000 more dollars per year if they go across the line," Hall said.
• The speaker added that the state should be able to afford adequate public school funding and private school vouchers.

Reality check: The competition isn't too stiff since the rest of the South is also relatively low for starting teacher pay.

• NEA ranks South Carolina 30th, paying an average of $44,693.
• Tennessee is 29th at $44,897.
• Georgia is in the 35th slot, paying around $43,654.
• Florida is 17th ($48,639), and Virginia is 16th ($48,666).

What's next: The short session begins April 21.

If you're on the hunt for a new job, here are 5 to get you started.

• Sales Consultant at UKIE Painting.
• Assistant Dean for Business and Personnel at University of North Carolina - Charlotte
• Grounds Department Team Position at Charlotte Country Day School
• College Counseling Administrative Assistant & Upper School Registrar at Charlotte Country Day School
• Instructor, Upper School Biology at Charlotte Country Day School

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Wells Fargo is investing $6 million in six nonprofits in west Charlotte. Among the recipients is the West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition for its long-planned Three Sisters Market grocery store. (WFAE)

American Airlines has joined other U.S. carriers in raising checked bag fees to offset higher jet fuel prices stemming from the war in Iran. (ABC News)

With all the hype surrounding Alamance County's forthcoming Buc-ee's, the potential effects on smaller gas stations and other businesses along the route have gone largely unsaid. (The Assembly)

The Harris Teeter off Idlewild Road in east Charlotte has permanently closed. (WBTV)

A new sales brochure marketing the former EpiCentre property has gone online. CBRE mentions that only 13 tenants will remain past September, marketing it as a rare opportunity to shape the property's tenant mix and identity. (WSOC)

Gov. Josh Stein is looking to overhaul or repeal data center sales tax exemptions that he says previously incentivized their construction but are no longer needed. (WUNC)

UNC Charlotte is launching a school of construction. (WFAE)

March Madness spurred $726.2 million in online sports bets in North Carolina, producing $13.7 million for the state government. It was the third-most lucrative month since online betting began in March 2024. (CBJ 🔒)

Just over 3,400 layoffs have been reported in North Carolina so far this year, with the biggest cuts coming from Charlotte-area companies Family Dollar (373) and Lowe's (227). That's a spike of more than 50%, or 2,111 positions, from the first quarter of 2025. (CBJ 🔒)