$2.08 an hour. Which state is that? Georgia? I travel to the US reasonably often. I think the average base is higher in most places - more like $3-4....On top of that, the restaurant meals generally cost less than Australia too (lower overheads I suppose LOL) so the profit margin likely isn't as big as you think. I'm not a big fan of the American wage structure, or Australia's for that matter. Both have some inherent faults.
