More restaurants embrace trend of putting health care surcharges on diners' checks

[Cannons Front]

A few restaurants in Austin, Texas, are the latest to ask diners to chip in a little extra for the sake of their employees’ health and well-being. Foreign & Domestic, in Austin’s North Loop, and Hoover’s Cooking, in Cherrywood, have recently added surcharges to patrons’ checks to help cover the cost of health insurance and paid sick leave, respectively. Foreign & Domestic’s optional 3 percent surcharge was added to each bill after co-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley started providing “great” health insurance for employees as of Jan. 1, but patrons can request to decline the charge — though Heard told Fox News that most diners haven’t.
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/m...-diners-checks

Not a fan of this, I think I would opt out. Honestly it is a scam in my opinion, I also think it will hurt tips as people will count that as part of the tip, I would. It also seems quite unfair if you look at it this way, Two people enter the restaurant, I order a burger and fries costs $12 so the surcharge would be $.36, The other person orders Steak and fries for $25 a $.75 surcharge. We both stay for 45 minutes, we both use the exact same labor to support us but the guy with the steak pays twice as much for the healthcare surcharge. Now you could say that is the same way it works for tips as well, and you would be correct, but tip money goes to the employee for doing a good job, this money goes to the employer.

Like I said, not a fan, I would not go to this or any other establishment that charges this way.

[Common]

I will not patronize any business that charges me a surcharge for anything. Their employees are their responsibility not mine. They price their services I pay for them if I believe its worth it to me. Its not my job to subsidize your employees wages benefits and well being. Tips are for good service, I tip well for good service and im intelligent enough to know when its the kitchens fault, the restaurants fault or bad service by my server.

[Cotton1]

I dont worry about nickels dimes or a few dollars. If I am hungry , it's on.

[zachroidott]

I will not patronize any business that charges me a surcharge for anything. Their employees are their responsibility not mine. They price their services I pay for them if I believe its worth it to me. Its not my job to subsidize your employees wages benefits and well being. Tips are for good service, I tip well for good service and im intelligent enough to know when its the kitchens fault, the restaurants fault or bad service by my server.

That is how the service industry has always survived. Relying on you to tip.

[Common]

That is how the service industry has always survived. Relying on you to tip.

I understand that and I always have, this is different, they want to add to their menu pricing a side cost to pay for what they restaurant should provide if they choose too. That im not going to do, add it to the price of a meal and if I still think its a value I will still patronize your business

Dont try to bull$#@! me with trying to keep your prices down then hitting me with a surcharge

[donttread]

I will not patronize any business that charges me a surcharge for anything. Their employees are their responsibility not mine. They price their services I pay for them if I believe its worth it to me. Its not my job to subsidize your employees wages benefits and well being. Tips are for good service, I tip well for good service and im intelligent enough to know when its the kitchens fault, the restaurants fault or bad service by my server.

Raise your prices like everybody else when their expenses go up

[MMC]

I agree with the OP and Common. Looks like the business that is concentrated on making good food, taking care of their customers and wanting to be around for the next decade will get my business.

[Ransom]

Patrons will reduce the tip amount by the exact amount of the surcharge. Sure....when we go in there, we're hungry, thirsty, and stupid.

But we take the magnifier out, we slide the table candle over, we click on the smart phone flashlight....and we read the bill. There in black and white will be health care surcharge for your table staff and you'll do the 15-20% tip math, subtract the surcharge, add amount to tip line, comment on how nice they were, how you'll be sure to spread the word of such great customer service and have a great day.

[Ransom]

Other employees should consider a health care surcharge. Even the oldest vocation there is, prostitution. The Prostitute will need some extra cash for a health care surcharge, after all, healthy is beneficial to both employee and employer in that example.

Employee leans into the driver's window, Employer asks how much. Employee says here's the me menu and don't forget to add 12.5% for a health care surcharge. Employer says that's bullshiit, I ain't paying for no surcharge. Employee explains the surcharge, pays for the gym membership, healthy eating habits, and know what else it pays for? Employer says, no what else does it pay for? Employee says regular venereal disease exams and prevention training. Employer says ok, I'll pay it.

[zachroidott]

I understand that and I always have, this is different, they want to add to their menu pricing a side cost to pay for what they restaurant should provide if they choose too. That im not going to do, add it to the price of a meal and if I still think its a value I will still patronize your business

Dont try to bull$#@! me with trying to keep your prices down then hitting me with a surcharge

That's kind of a weird stance. If you know where the money is going(health care), you have a problem paying it?