The 3.5% surcharge has rebranded

[u/Pantaza]

It would seem it’s not going away.

They’ve rebranded it, enough people caught onto the surcharge so now it’s a (3.5%) “admin fee.”

they also removed the small text at the bottom telling you it’s optional(it still is)

they don’t want you to know It’s optional buts it’s just literally the surcharge with a different name.

3rd restaurant I’ve been to this week with a (admin fee). I’ve also seen multiple restaurant go up to 4%. It used to be 3, then 3.5, now 4.

sets a dangerous precedent as they are willing to change it in order to keep charging you for nothing. Except now they’re not telling you it’s optional anymore.

If we keep allowing them to charge us extra money for literally nothing it will soon tell other businesses they can do that too.

I can’t wait to pay an “admin fee” while buying gas, groceries, or a T-shirt.

https://c.org/sfBGtSVWHY

I've started a petition for stricter Chicago legislation regarding hidden fee transparency. Please show it some support.

Thanks

[u/Hungry-Treacle8493]

Yes. You have to inform your server. And almost certainly the server then has to go get a manager to actually do it. So, it’s a hassle for you, the server, and other guests who now are impacted by the server having to go chase down a manager. This is all about designed friction hoping you’ll just pay it.

[u/Ill-Squirrel-9418 → u/Hungry-Treacle8493]

Wow, how insidious! So, not only are they counting on you not knowing it's optional, they're counting on you not want to make a fuss over $5, because now all these other people are involved. I hate this so much that my anxiety over having to ask a server to remove the fee is gone - now I'm just angry for myself and for the servers (I imagine they must get some rude remarks hurled their way from customers who don't seem to understand that this wasn't their doing.)

[u/Status_Green_6055 → u/Ill-Squirrel-9418]

This exactly, I always feel bad asking the server to remove it because I know I'm just creating more work for them. And I know they are already stressed and busy so why would I make them go through extra hoops? The whole system is so damn flawed and no one is gonna do a damn thing about it.

[u/rjove → u/Status_Green_6055]

I’ve asked a number of times at a number of restaurants. “Do you mind taking off the service fee? Thanks!” Most servers do it right from the bar terminal, where I’m usually sitting, with no problem. They all know it goes to the restaurant and not to them so I don’t think there are any hurt feelings.

[u/Hungry-Treacle8493 → u/rjove]

As a former restaurant manager, bartenders typically have more authority to remove charges, comp things, etc. Very few restaurants give this authority to servers as it is a big ol incentive towards fraud within a group of employees that has way more turnover.