Why Restaurants Tip Pool

It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco over a decade ago that I got my first taste of tip pooling as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed server at the late Anchor & Hope. As a bartender in South Florida all the tips that I made were mine to keep and do with as I pleased, so it came as a shock to me when I was told during my first shift that my individual earnings were no longer mine but, “ours." In a world where we are taught that money equals security, control, validation, power and social status I was immediately struck by an unreasonable fear that made me second guess taking the job. Up until then I had been brainwashed by years and years of being told that my worth was only as good as the cash I had at the end of the night. My inner child was scared.

Who was I if my tips weren’t just my own, but also everybody else’s? What did that say about me? Would I be good enough anymore?

I had yet to understand that a tip pool could actually be better not only for the guest, but for me as well. It wasn’t until after month two at Anchor & Hope that I finally became a firm believer of sharing your wealth (where wealth is not just monetary) and I still am to this day. The reasons why restaurants mandate a tip pool may be different, but the benefits are all the same.

When you stop working selfishly and start working selflessly, it’s a win-win-win for everybody. All of the sudden you have help without having to ask for it and vice versa. Teamwork becomes second nature. You win, your coworkers win and most importantly, the guest wins. The chances of them being neglected become slim to none. Instead of having to wait for someone who is in the weeds to fill their up water glass or bring them their check, there are 10 people who are ready to do so. They feel well taken are of. They tip simply because they feel seen and heard, not to feed your ego.

And let’s say someone on your team is slacking off while everyone else is hustling to contribute to their consistent income. Well, tip pooling has no room for laziness and eventually that person will be voted off the floor. Each time this happens, the team becomes stronger, the hospitality becomes better, the rewards become greater all around.

Tip pooling satisfies our human need to belong and that sense of belonging provides us with more security, control, validation, power and social status than money could ever buy. Being a part of a shared consciousness gives you purpose. It makes restaurants a healthier place and in turn, makes you a happier person.