Minimum Wage Fee

[hawkeye3210]

That's not a very good idea.  People will rebel against another line item on their bill.  Just raise the prices a little and no one with think anything of it.

Disagree. I actually think it was great idea. Raising menu prices also adds the costs of updating said menu, signage, etc., but in this case, the owners have actually created value in the form of free publicity/advertising. People claiming to rebel against a $0.35 line item fee, probably wouldn't have eaten there in the first place.

[countrygirl12]

Probably not, but the point in the article on Yahoo was "would you eat at a place that does this"?
Is this particular place does it then more and more will follow suit.  Just like the tip jars.  One or two were doing it and now almost every where you go there are tip jars.  I ate at a mexican restaurant a while back and while tips are expected to be left on the table for the waiters (and now that I think about it they are all men lol) there is a tip jar by the register.  I assume that is for the one who runs the register???

At any rate, I expect this to happen more and more.  And like someone else pointed out - by doing this the people see that there will be extra cost.  Not to mention the food prices will also go up.  And changing the menu board is not as hard as you would think.  It is just little magnetic stick up numbers.  That or they just charge you more and when the customer complains they say oh that price is wrong.  lol

[kingozzy]

That is a total crock to do that, I hope people quit going there and drive them out of business

[countrygirl12]

That is a total crock to do that, I hope people quit going there and drive them out of business

What is the difference in doing this and in just raising the menu prices?

[pmagalei]

I don't have a problem if they put that on my bill. Just as long as the food is great. The key for me is "great". If the food is mediocre I just don't see the point. I know I have some family members who are working in restaurants. I would like them to get paid for what they do.

[pwvogt]

Minimum wage and the cost of living are related in way more complex ways than the employer simply passing on the cost to the consumer.  When you pay people more they spend more and that has an effect on the economy as well.  Most people making minimum wage will spend their increases locally and will help a local economy.

[crisstar]

The added labor costs will always be added to the consumer in one way or another. Whether it's added the prices of products or added as a separate minimum wage charge as mentioned in the OP.

Could some businesses absorb this cost? Probably but why would they would they can just pass on the added cost to the consumer. After all, this kind of increase is barely noticeable in small increments passed on to the consumer.

Just my three cents...

[hawkeye3210]

At any rate, I expect this to happen more and more.  And like someone else pointed out - by doing this the people see that there will be extra cost.  Not to mention the food prices will also go up.  And changing the menu board is not as hard as you would think.  It is just little magnetic stick up numbers.  That or they just charge you more and when the customer complains they say oh that price is wrong.  lol

The point I was making was that costs money to print new menu's and signs, not that it was hard. Other than fast food restaurants, I don't see menu boards used all that often. If the restaurant used one, than it wasn't that big of deal.

[dancer139]

minimum wage,,,,,  nasty topic.  I worked for a major department store for 17 years.   when i started I made 5.25 an hour and when I left i made 8.12.  I liked my job and did something different everyday,,,  that was why I stayed.  The new people that they would hire was almost making as much as me when they were hired but I could not get a raise. The store had a wage freeze and no one was getting any raises.    Eventually they closed our store even tho it was one of the better stores in the corporation.  So I just retired from there.  Had enough years in so that was my way to go.

[countrygirl12]

At any rate, I expect this to happen more and more.  And like someone else pointed out - by doing this the people see that there will be extra cost.  Not to mention the food prices will also go up.  And changing the menu board is not as hard as you would think.  It is just little magnetic stick up numbers.  That or they just charge you more and when the customer complains they say oh that price is wrong.  lol

The point I was making was that costs money to print new menu's and signs, not that it was hard. Other than fast food restaurants, I don't see menu boards used all that often. If the restaurant used one, than it wasn't that big of deal.

I may be wrong but I thought the menu boards at McDonald's and Taco Bell and the like were that simple to change.   Maybe not.

[vickysue]

I don't know how resturants pay their waitresses, but in our state they don't even make min. they make about 2.50 more or less an hour. they have to depend on the tips. Plus a few years ago the government  added another tax on them. they have to pay  the government 8% of what ever the tab is. So if they are only tip 10% of the tab, they don't make any money. I know because I had a part-time job working as a waitress. Also work as a part-time employee at a large retail until I went into management and had to drop the waitressing. Now some of the large places pay a lot better, but they then take the tips and put them in a jar so everyone gets piece of the pie.

[hawkeye3210]

At any rate, I expect this to happen more and more.  And like someone else pointed out - by doing this the people see that there will be extra cost.  Not to mention the food prices will also go up.  And changing the menu board is not as hard as you would think.  It is just little magnetic stick up numbers.  That or they just charge you more and when the customer complains they say oh that price is wrong.  lol

The point I was making was that costs money to print new menu's and signs, not that it was hard. Other than fast food restaurants, I don't see menu boards used all that often. If the restaurant used one, than it wasn't that big of deal.

I may be wrong but I thought the menu boards at McDonald's and Taco Bell and the like were that simple to change.   Maybe not.

We're not talking about McDonald's and Taco Bell here. This is a restaurant where the waiter/waitress comes to your table, hands you the menus, takes your order, etc. There is no board to change. If you change prices, you need to order new menus, which would be an additional cost.

[crystal80524]

That's not a very good idea.  People will rebel against another line item on their bill.

[crystal80524]

That's not a very good idea.  People will rebel against another line item on their bill.  Just raise the prices a little and no one with think anything of it.

[blondie71]

I don't know what to think about that I know my sister and I ate out and gave a really good tip but she left cash on the table and the bill was charge an extra $4.00 and it didn't say anything on the receipt about that.  This has happen now three times and at different places.  Tips where meant for people who are doing there jobs right and with a good attitude so charging the customer for there raise is wrong I think they should pay the minimum wages anyway especial chain Restraunts.