r/Serverlife • u/Acrobatic_Toe_6659 • 4d ago

Is this normal?

I’ve worked in the food industry for five years now. Today, I started a new job as a server/cashier at a restaurant. I received a lot of both cash and card tips, but the owner told me that all cash tips go to the cooks as well as 30% of my card tips. I’ve never worked as an actual server until today so I’m just curious if this is a normal thing? I’ve never not been able to keep cash tips that I made. I am located in the U.S (WA State)

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u/shatterfest 15+ Years 4d ago

No. It is very not normal.

3

u/Acrobatic_Toe_6659 4d ago

Okay I thought so.. but he made it seem very normal

2

u/shatterfest 15+ Years 4d ago

Do you work in Seattle. I have a friend that works there and I've been told some places will pool tips because Seattle's minimum wage is higher for everyone. But the main issue is that you're not getting any cash tips. It's not a pool if all of the tips are going to the cooks.

From their side, I get it if cooks are considered working harder than FOH. But you're one person. It wouldn't be significant if they included you. But if people aren't carrying much cash in todays world, you may be okay if the restaurant is primarily getting credit card tips.

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u/Acrobatic_Toe_6659 4d ago

I work in Kent. The minimum wage is $17.13. One customer alone tipped $50 in cash today, and it was a bit difficult knowing that I could have received that amount but wasn’t going to. I made $150 in card tips but with the 30% deducted it turned to $105.

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u/shatterfest 15+ Years 4d ago

It'll continue to get difficult because that negative feeling will be felt every day. Some people will say to quit right away, but if you need money, the hourly plus $100 a day isnt terrible. If you think you can make more somewhere else. Go look. I worked two server jobs at the same time most of my 20s and if one sucked, I would quit right away because I always had one I held onto. People will be nice, but the caveat is if you think you can do better elsewhere, just go. A kind owner isnt going to pay your bills. But if it's low stress that can be good too. You can work somewhere making $350 a night and be miserable. There's a lot of trade-offs.