Jane Fonda Visits Newark, Calls for $15 Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers

[Merlot]

4. Doubtful. Every days tips depend on a lot of things

How much business the restaurant has that day, whether the host likes you (ie, seats the "good" parties at your tables), whether tips are pooled, etc. Also random events like weather or emergencies, or even holidays that would keep people home from work on the lunch hour. Which shifts you get assigned are random based on the manager of the restaurant. Some shifts pay more than others.

If you work at a lower priced cafe, your percentage based on the amount of the check will be lower. In some restaurants either patrons or untipped staff may steal tips.

So, you could make amazing money one day, no money the next. It all averages out to a chaotic income for everyone except the top servers at the top restaurants.