I hope the waitress got to keep that tip! Some places pool tips and split them among the staff, or the owner gets a cut.
Most places do that. I think the owner can only take a cut if it's added to the bill as a "service charge".
I recently heard a story of some Vegas high-roller who was a regular at a certain restaurant. After particularly good service one day, he gave the waitress a $1000 tip. She said that she would have to pool it. He was outraged and demanded to see the manager. He demands the manager fire the waitress immediately. Not wanting tolose his business, the manager complied. The high-roller then gave the (ex-)waitress the tip, and then told the manager the hired her back.