Restaurant Tip Sharing (FOH vs BOH) Calculator

The FOH/BOH split depends on your restaurant's concept, staffing model, and local laws. Common splits range from 50/50 to 70/30 (FOH/BOH). Fine dining establishments with higher service expectations often allocate more to FOH (60-70%). Casual dining with larger kitchen teams may use 50/50. Quick-service restaurants with minimal FOH staff might skew toward BOH. Start with 55/45 and adjust based on staff feedback and retention goals.

Multipliers reflect the relative value of each role to the tip-generating experience. Common multipliers: Trainees and hosts 0.7-0.8x, standard servers and line cooks 1.0x, bartenders and skilled cooks 1.1-1.2x, senior servers and sous chefs 1.3-1.5x, and managers should not be included in tip pools. The key is consistency - apply the same multiplier framework to all staff in similar roles.

Tip pooling laws vary by state and are subject to change. Federally, the FLSA allows tip pooling among employees who customarily and regularly receive tips. The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act permits including BOH staff in tip pools under certain conditions. However, states like California, New York, and Oregon have their own tip pooling regulations that may be more restrictive. Some states require written tip pooling agreements. Always check your specific state's labor laws and consult with legal counsel before implementing a tip sharing policy.

No. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), managers and owners are explicitly prohibited from participating in tip pools, regardless of whether they perform tipped work. This includes shift supervisors, assistant managers, and any employees with managerial authority over hiring, firing, or scheduling. Violating this rule can result in significant penalties and back-wage liability. Some states have even stricter rules about who can and cannot participate in tip pools.

Position multipliers create a weighted distribution system. Without multipliers, two staff working the same hours would earn the same tip share regardless of role. With multipliers, a senior server (1.3x) working 8 hours earns 10.4 weighted points while a trainee (0.7x) working 8 hours earns 5.6 points - nearly double the tips for the same hours. This reflects the senior server's higher experience and contribution to the guest experience.

Absolutely. This calculator runs 100% in your browser. Your staff roster, hours, tip amounts, and distribution breakdowns are processed locally on your device and are never sent to any server, stored, or tracked. No signup or account is needed.

Yes - this calculator is 100% free with no signup, no account, and no usage limits. Model as many tip sharing scenarios as you need with different staff configurations, FOH/BOH splits, and multiplier settings, completely free forever.