I worked a number of restaurant jobs when I in school. My kids have done the same. All of us agree that we would prefer tip income to minimum wage. Why? Because a good server, over time, earns far more through tip income.

If I owned a restaurant, I would rather hire and retain good servers. That keeps customers returning. How best to do this? Allow them to earn income based on individual performance. It's no different than many other businesses. The sales people in my company earn bonuses based on individual performance. Most of the rest of us earn bonuses based on company or unit performance. Individual contribution is harder to measure and this is deemed fairer. However, individual mediocrity is easier to hide when true contribution to profit is harder to measure. Not so with sales people and waitstaff. It's got nothing to do with CHEAP! It's simply a smart business practice.

If all the servers get raises from $2.13 to whatever the local minimum wage is, and tipping is discontinued, do you not think you will pay for it? The meal prices will be adjusted upwards. You may pay less than under the old method, but average service will be all you can hope for.

If you want the minimum cost of service included in your minimumly acceptable meal, I suggest you eat fast food.