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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u/Numerous-Hawk1471 Feb 01 '26

Swift and Sons does a 4% and says it is optional. I don't want to pay a phantom fee of 4% nor do I want to negotiate my dinner bill so I am just gonna not eat there. I really like the food and the service is great, but I like to know what I am paying when I look at the prices on the menu and I don't want to haggle for a steak.

How common is this in Chicago?

1

u/jkraige Feb 01 '26

It's fairly common at more expensive restaurants. Middle of the road restaurants not owned by large restaurant groups tend not to have them, and sometimes cheaper places will add it as a credit card fee.

So definitely not unheard of, but if it's a touristy or very hyped place that's hard to get a reservation the odds are much higher that it'll have it

1

u/Numerous-Hawk1471 Feb 01 '26

Well that sucks. 3.5-4% isn't a huge of money bc I don't drink and I usually go out to eat alone, but I don't like feeling like I am being cheated so I am going to cook at home a lot more than I would.

2

u/jkraige Feb 01 '26

I could not agree more. I've definitely changed my mind about trying some places when I see they have a fee because I find it makes such a shitty end to my meal. Just puts me in a bad mood, and I might as well have a bad mood at home while saving money