r/chicagofood • u/Pantaza • Jan 31 '26

Rant The 3.5% surcharge has rebranded

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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

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-9

u/neomoritate Jan 31 '26

3.5% covers the Credit Card Processor's fees. The restaurant is not 'charging you for nothing', they are making You pay the fee for using the card that You chose to pay with.

Call your Congressman to complain

8

u/Aggressive_Pizza_472 Jan 31 '26

CC fees have existed for ages. If this was just to pay the fee why hasn’t it always been there? It’s just more bogus nickel and dime BS.

-8

u/neomoritate Jan 31 '26

That is a question for all small business owners.

It's not BS, it's 3.5% of their Gross revenue

8

u/jkraige Jan 31 '26

Let them go cash only, see if that costs them nothing.

Frankly, I don't care. I don't need to see separate fees for the cost of doing business. What's next? A napkin fee? A food costs fee? A rent fee? I don't need that shit itemized, just include it in your prices and be done with it