COME BY FOR A COFFEE.

LEAVE WITH A NEW FRIEND
AND FOUR SCONES.

Good ingredients
make good food.

We only use local, fresh, whole and organic ingredients.
If it’s going in your body, then it better be good.

Why We Include an Automatic Tip at necessary & sufficient coffee®

A more honest and equitable way to do business

At necessary & sufficient coffee®, we believe a coffee shop can be more than just a transaction—it can model a more sustainable, human-centered way of doing business. Our automatic tip policy reflects that belief. It’s not just about covering costs—it’s about fairness, transparency, and trying to build something better, even when it’s imperfect.

Q1: Why does your business include an automatic tip?

Because we want to ensure every member of our team is paid equitably—no matter their role, identity, or how “visible” their labor is. Automatic tipping helps us build a system that doesn't rely on who smiles more or fits customer expectations. It makes pay more consistent, less biased, and more just.

Q2: Why not just raise your prices and pay your staff more directly?

This is one of the biggest and most valid questions we hear. Here’s the truth: we’re a small, independently owned café operating in an economy where profit margins are razor thin. Most people assume owners are doing fine—but like many small business owners, we’re not insulated from the same economic pressures our customers feel. We also face higher costs because of our sustainability standards (more on that below).

So why the tip model? Because it’s a tool we can use now to ensure pay equity and transparency, while still keeping our base prices as accessible as possible. Every dollar of the automatic tip goes directly to our team. If tips fall short, we make up the difference—guaranteed.

This isn’t about shifting burden—it’s about sharing responsibility for a system we all want to be better.

Q3: Why is it still called a tip if it’s required?

It’s fair to ask. We chose an automatic tip model because, legally in Illinois, tips belong solely to employees—unlike service charges, which businesses can retain. Calling it a tip ensures your money goes directly to the people serving you.

That said, we understand it feels different from a traditional tip, where you decide how much to give. This is about making that contribution consistent, fair, and part of a livable wage system. We’re trying to change how tipping works—not eliminate your choice, but make it more just by default.

Q4: What’s a living wage, and why does it matter?

A living wage is the minimum income needed for someone to meet basic needs—rent, food, transportation, and healthcare—without relying on public assistance or working multiple jobs. In Cook County, that number is currently $27.30/hour, according to Living Wage for US.

We are certified by Living Wage for US, which means we are audited annually to ensure all team members—through a combination of base pay, benefits, and tips—earn at least that amount. If tips fall short, we pay the difference. No exceptions. No fine print.

This isn’t charity—it’s a baseline for dignity.

🟡 Q5: Other coffee shops don’t charge as much. Why are your prices what they are?

Yes—you can find cheaper coffee in Chicago. And we understand why that might raise questions.

What we serve is Specialty coffee, which is something different. It starts high in the mountains—literally—with beans grown at higher altitudes (often above 1500 meters), where slower growth produces more complex, expressive flavors. From there, farmers and producers take great care at every step—harvesting, sorting, fermenting, and drying—to preserve that quality all the way to the cup.

The result? A coffee that actually tastes as good as it smells. Clean, sweet, vibrant—without the bitterness that usually needs to be masked by cream or sugar.

Yes, we also build values into our pricing:

• Certified living wages for our entire team

• Compostable packaging and zero landfill waste

• Ethical sourcing from a certified B-Corp roaster - Olympia Coffee

This isn't just about what costs more—it’s about what delivers more: to your palate, to the planet, and to the people behind every step.

Q6: I want to support you, but I’m on a tight budget. What can I do?

We get it. Many of us on staff are also navigating rising rents, debt, and inflation. Supporting local should never be all-or-nothing. Here are some ways to make it work:

• Bring your own cup – Get 50¢ off every drink
• Pay it forward – Ask about our community-supported tab
• Tell a friend about us
• Leave a positive google review
• Just say hi – Even if you’re not buying today, you’re part of our community
• Share your thoughts with us on the form below.

We believe no one should feel shame for spending less—or pride for spending more. Everyone’s welcome here.

Final Thought:

We know this model is different. That’s the point. We’re not trying to guilt you—we’re trying to be honest about what it takes to build a better kind of business, one cup of coffee at a time.

Thanks for being part of it.