subjective experience here. i was once a server, and I'd have greatly preferred a living wage plus token tips.

the worst part being the loophole around minimum wage is that it incentivizes the widespread practice of tip pooling by restaurant owners.

nowadays when you tip your waiter you're also tipping the busser, foodrunner, hostess (and with the recent law change allowing it, the line cook).

it is too easily used as a tool to skirt wage laws by making every employee a tipped one.