If Restaurant Adds 20% Mandatory Service Fee To Check, Would You Add Another 20% Tip?

[geist1223]

I hate this additional fee. But I was talking to an acquaintance today that owns 2 Restaurants. They survived the lock downs but just barely. They have been doing a total remodel of one of the restaurants and are almost done. So they are starting to look for staff. This is harder than they thought it would be. They are finding that with the expected cost of qualified reliable staff and the current cost of the Food supplies their prices will be going up.

 

[Chrispee]

I'm really surprised to not have heard of any restaurants raising their prices and offering full transparency on their staffing remuneration. Personally, I'd be happy to pay an extra 30% for a meal in a non-tipping establishment that clearly outlined on their website that employees received a good living wage and health benefits.

 

[easyrider]

Yes, I know some people in the restaurant business that make 6 figure incomes. They have university degrees and struggled with their decision to stay in the service industry because they make more money with tips. That is definitely not the norm.

That is similar to my daughter in law. She is an educated waitress that only works weekends part time but makes more than many working a full week. Especially now that she is pregnant again, lol.

Bill

 

[ScoopKona]

I'm really surprised to not have heard of any restaurants raising their prices and offering full transparency on their staffing remuneration. Personally, I'd be happy to pay an extra 30% for a meal in a non-tipping establishment that clearly outlined on their website that employees received a good living wage and health benefits.

Servers at high-end restaurants DO NOT WANT THIS. Their pay is unpredictable. But any restaurant which sells $5,000 bottles of wine has a line of applicants for front of the house positions, all the time, all of whom could moonlight as underwear models.

 

[Wgk101]

We just spent a week I’m Maui. At almost every restaurant there was a 3% fee added to the bill for “kitchen benefits”. I did not mind the 3% too much and added my normal tip for the waiter/waitress.

what got my gall was at the last two restaurants there was a 3% fee added for “employees of the week program”. I shorted the server 1.5% of my normal tip because I thought that it should not be my responsibility to pay for an incentive program run by the restaurant.. I rethought what I did and should have tipped my full amount but have management remove the 3%.

 

[geist1223]

Remember if you TIP calculate the TIP solely on the Food and Drink costs before taxes and any Special Fees.

 

[mentalbreak]

Remember if you TIP calculate the TIP solely on the Food and Drink costs before taxes and any Special Fees.

And many receipts that calculate suggested amounts for you do it based on the after-tax total. Irritates me every time!

 

[Tia]

Our favorite place not long ago posted on menu's and the entry door, 3% added for credit cards. We are using cash now. Many places have make adjustments somehow to trying to cover their increased costs we have noticed.

 

[abelcermak]

I get how frustrating this new service fee trend can feel, especially when it pops up unexpectedly.

 

[Tia]

It's funny you say that. We went to a new fancy pizza place near us a few months ago. We ordered our (expensive for pizza) personal pizzas, and they were excellent. Really good.

I went up to pay the bill. The clerk typed up our bill on her screen, then turned the iPad to me to sign for my credit card. I added a tip, and I was thinking the bill seemed a bit high, but I took my receipt and we left. Then, looking at the paper receipt (the clerk asked if I wanted it), I saw that there was a $3 charge for using a credit card! She had never mentioned it, and it didn't say that anywhere--I was so annoyed that I went back to look for a sign or a note on the menu. Nothing! This is on, like, a $25 check.

Now it's months later and my husband refuses to go back because HE'S so annoyed about the $3 charge.

The one place I went to a while back the sign wasn't on the menu, it was at the cash register where you went to pay for your ticket. ( oops I see this thread is 2+ years old )