My policy is to tip nothing if I have to order and retrieve my own hot food items, and there is any sort of issue with dirty tables or missing silverware.
If I have to order my own food but the server brings it when it is ready, I will tip $1.
If the server greets me, takes my order, and brings the food, I will tip $2. If they are especially attentive in asking how things are, clearing my plates, and volunteering to bring drink refills, then I will tip in excess of $2. I do appreciate good service.
Recent data points; HGI Des Moines, IA North - ho hum service, had to ask for water, order and pick up my own food. HGI Sioux City, SD South - good service, ordered my own food but it was delivered to the table and the server was attentive. HGI Billings, MY - excellent service, with the server taking the order and bringing food and beverage to the table. HGI Perrysville, OH - excellent service. HGI Wallingford/Meriden, CT - awful service with dirty tables and delays getting food. HGI Shelton, CT - excellent service.
That HGI Shelton is set up right and had excellent service.
We were at the HGI Brentwood TN and it was just awkwardly set up. We had to order hot foods by standing up at the area by the kitchen and tell the staffer who made a separate slip for each person. We had three orders and then they gave us two numbers.
Throughout the South, the professionalism of restaurant staff at many places seems to have diminished, if my most recent experiences are any indication.
I think it will die out at most chains.
We ate at Wetherspoons a few times in the UK. I used the app and I think it should be that way at most ordinary places in a couple of years.
With these hybrid places like HGI restaurants, 90% of the time the wait staff are not required or fail to fill a purpose.
Oh, and how often do they not give the coupons at the front desk properly? About 30% of the time, they give one coupon instead of two or no coupons at all. Or they give coupons and then still have a list of names and room numbers. Why can we get in rooms with cell phones and they can't figure out breakfast coupons?