A recent TikTok video, which has garnered over 115,000 views and was covered by BroBible, shows a Chili’s customer dramatically refusing a charity donation prompt on a table-side payment tablet, much to the amusement and surprise of his dining companion and the server. TikToker Saavirus (@saavirus) held up the small tablet, displaying a blue screen featuring the St. Jude Children’s Hospital logo.
The prompt asked if the Chili’s guests wanted to donate to the charity, which is dedicated to providing free medical treatment for children battling rare diseases and cancers. The TikToker quickly made a face and hit the skip button, a move that was captured on camera alongside the server patiently waiting at the end of the table.
On-screen text in the video pointed out the awkwardness, reading, “With the waiter there and everything.” A woman sitting next to Saavirus covered her face, reacting to his very public decision not to contribute. It’s certainly a moment that makes you wonder about the pressure these prompts can create, especially when you’re just trying to pay for your meal.
This option to donate to St. Jude Children’s Hospital after eating at Chili’s isn’t new at all
In fact, the restaurant chain has had a partnership with the charity since 2002. Over the years, this collaboration has proven successful, raising an impressive $114 million in donations for the cause. Chili’s commitment to St. Jude is so deep that there’s even a St. Jude facility named after the restaurant: The Chili’s Care Center medical building.
According to Chili’s own website, every single dine-in and online order customer is greeted with a donation screen for St. Jude. It’s a standard part of their checkout process. Employees of Chili’s, sharing their experiences on Reddit, have also mentioned that the chain goes an extra mile by providing St. Jude t-shirts for staff to wear throughout September. This helps promote the donation campaign even further, making sure customers are aware of the ongoing effort to support the hospital.
However, these donation screens aren’t universally loved by customers. On the r/Chilis subreddit, some diners have voiced their frustration, feeling that the donation prompt only adds more steps to what they already consider a lengthy checkout process at the restaurant.
One customer, clearly exasperated, posted pictures of the three separate prompts they received after tapping their card: first a tip screen, then the donation screen, and finally a survey screen. They wrote, “Now I have to play 20 questions and be prompted to donate to charity…I just wanted a burger and a beer.”
Other commenters on the thread agreed that the extended tablet checkout experience can definitely detract from their overall dining experience at Chili’s. One person stated their strong disapproval, writing, “They only take payment with that tablet thingy. Very wack. Won’t be back.” Another shared, “I also don’t like being asked for a charitable donation as I like to support my own chosen charities. Not that they aren’t good ones but I only have so much money to go around.” A third commenter remarked, “I agree charities are in poor taste.”
Beyond the frustration with the checkout process, the viral TikTok also sparked a lively debate in its comments section about the best way to donate to charities. Many viewers discussed whether it’s better to give through a restaurant or to donate directly to the organizations themselves.
One commenter suggested, “To be fair they already donated they just want you to pay them back.” This sentiment reflects a common misconception, which another user directly addressed, replying, “They use these donation as a tax write off. The best way is to DIRECTLY donate to these organizations.”
However, this widely held belief about companies getting a tax write-off from customer donations has been thoroughly debunked by tax policy experts. It’s a common misconception, and it’s simply not how it works. As one commenter correctly pointed out, “Omg donations made by the customer can’t be written off. the money never goes to the company and the customer can actually write it off.” Another viewer echoed this, explaining, “Only you get the tax write off they don’t, that would be illegal, that’s why the put the donation on YOUR receipt.”
Published: Apr 6, 2026 03:15 pm