Worth noting that the us dept of labor only changed their rules recently to make it clear that back of house staff _can_ participate in tip pools. Prior to tha

Worth noting that the us dept of labor only changed their rules recently to make it clear that back of house staff _can_ participate in tip pools. Prior to that the only way to equitably pay them alongside front of house was to pay them a higher wage out of the food costs. Those increased food costs put the restaurant at a disadvantage in the market even if the total take (food plus tip) was the same.