Visual analysis proves the picture of the sign is AI generated. It is intended to spur debate about tipping and it succeeded in that respect. The poster claims customers should tip 25% of the bill, which is an increase over the standard 15% to 20% most Americans give. From the U.S. Dept. of Labor site: "An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in direct wages if that amount combined with the tips received at least equals the federal minimum wage." https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/wagestips That's a concession to small family-owned restaurants that only employ family members. Many would go out of business if forced to pay even the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Other larger restaurants have taken advantage of this concession, but employees will always receive at least the equivalent of the Federal minimum. Thirty four states and a number of cities have minimum wages above $7.25. The highest minimum wage in the U.S. is $21.65 in Tukwila, Washington. The hourly minimum in NYC, with 25,000 dining places, is $17.00. With tips, wait staff in NYC tend to take home between $30 and $50 per hour.
