It's not that uncommon.

As a matter of fact, it is. When I was in college, I often worked as a waiter (actually, a singing waiter, but that's a long story). We pooled tips to take care of the busboys, the bartender, the cocktail waitresses and the maitre 'd.

Isn't that the Wait Staff (Front of the House Staff)? Which is standard, and was previously stated.

soitgoes was stating that it is common to inclulde everyone that is not management in the tip pool. So all cooks, kitchen staff, dishwashers etc.

I've worked in and been around a lot of resturant operations in my day and don't believe it is common.

I'd be interested in knowing what main stream restaurants use an approach like that. (I'm not talking about the girls at Hooters that give the fry cooks a couple dollars to be nice). I bet it would be hard for them to get anything close to a decent staff for that type of operation.

Oh, sorry, I missed that part. I think you are correct: it is not common for dishwashers, cooks, etc. to participate in the tip pool.