Minimum wage, which is $7.25/hour, and not even close to the bare minimum to be able to survive, because it hasn't been raised in nearly 15 years!
This is the real issue and the core of it that needs to be fixed. That is unacceptable. People should pressure for raising the minimum wage to livable terms instead of using roundabout systems that don't fix the issue and just shifts it around.
Why would they pay their employees, if you are doing exactly what they want you? You always tip, so they always don't have to pay it out of their own pockets.
I'm sure the owners keep saying "yes I'm so sorry I'll consider it" and once they're out of your sight they grin and think of it not a second more.