Minimum Wage Fee

[countrygirl12]

I recently saw an article where in one of the states where they forced an increase in Min Wage the restaurant has a line at the bottom of the receipt above or below the Tax line that says:

Minimum Wage Fee.       .35 cents

It was a story on Yahoo.  The restaurant owner said he could not afford to pay the employees the increase he was forced to give so he is passing the buck on to the customers.  I know to some .35 is not a big deal and to others it is.  People were yelling if you cannot afford an extra .35 then you don't need to be eating out.  But I  disagree with that line of thinking.

So the question being asked was would you continue to eat at a restaurant that had a .35 Min Wage fee added to the bill?   They will get the increase one way or another.  Most will increase menu prices.

Me personally...I probably would not eat somewhere that done this.  I pretty much don't eat out anymore anyway.   I also think if one business does this the rest will follow suit including Walmart, grocery stores and every where else.

[JaniceSW]

I saw this story also...on TV.  I believe employers simply pass on such increases in product or service price increases, many not as open about it as this.  That is the problem.  In the long run, it adds to the cost of living no matter.  This employer just
decided to be open and upfront, probably delaying having to print new menus with price increases on them.  I think the business has a comparatively small customer base who go there regularly and know the business owner and many of the employees.  Therefore, they don't mind the relatively small increase.  I wonder what would happen if the "add-on" was more like $1.00?

[bremer51]

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.

[Liquidfire_43]

Not to  sure about minimum wages... But if you increase it, the product will eventually increase also.. I don't expect it to earth shattering but it could be good to match the product for being overpriced.. Back then gum and coffee, used to be like 10 cents and minimum wage used to be very low... Now store candies are like $1.29 and coffee is around $1- $2. But minimum wages also increased since then to w/e it is

[mill8277]

I agree with you on this one, you can call me cheap if you want, but he can't afford to pay his workers neither can I....I just like to get a meal out every now and again...I think a tip should be left up to me if I wanna give one or not and should not be hounded if I don't....I'm just as poor as they are or even poorer.....I make a few cents above minimum wages myself and no one tips me....

[plennis]

That's just the cost of doing business.    Restaurant jobs pay poorly, they get no benefits and most are part time.  If he can not cover an extra $100 a week to meet the minimum wage, then maybe he needs to not be in business.   The prices around here are going up because of the cost of getting the foods, with the drought and the  cost of fuel.    Several companies (chains) in my area already were paying the employees more than minimum.   Some of these owners are beginning to find out it is cheaper in the long run to pay employees a little more with a little respect. You save the cost of so many new hires and training time.  Happier employees treat your customers better.  The charge on the receipt is going right into the hands of the employer.                                         

[debidoo]

In a way I think its a bunch of bologna but I do believe a lot of business owners are barely hanging on - but anyway I would not worry about .35 being added although the prices of eating out and buying food are already so high. 

[reiddb]

It will keep going, one way or another....same price for food but now a 6oz container instead of the 9oz....it's everywhere!

[countrygirl12]

I saw this story also...on TV.  I believe employers simply pass on such increases in product or service price increases, many not as open about it as this.  That is the problem.  In the long run, it adds to the cost of living no matter.  This employer just
decided to be open and upfront, probably delaying having to print new menus with price increases on them.  I think the business has a comparatively small customer base who go there regularly and know the business owner and many of the employees.  Therefore, they don't mind the relatively small increase.  I wonder what would happen if the "add-on" was more like $1.00?

Yes the increase will be passed on to the customer.  And although it is only .35 at this one restaurant. Eventually his food prices will increase or this fee will.  Everyone is effected but a lot of people can't see that.  EVERYONE will get an increase in pay.  Not just HIS staff.  So when everyone raises their prices it eventually gets down to the customer pays more too. 

So raising min wage to $10.10 an hour which is what a lot are crying...or the idiots that work at McDonald's screaming they want $15 an hour (lol at that) - if people who had NO skills are paid $15 an hour then people who go to college and get an education and have actual skills are going to want $30 an hour.  I know you can't live on part time hours making min wage.  But most of these people who are crying still have internet, cable, smoke, buy lotto tickets, and other luxuries that they should be doing without.  It's called living within your means.

[countrygirl12]

I agree with you on this one, you can call me cheap if you want, but he can't afford to pay his workers neither can I....I just like to get a meal out every now and again...I think a tip should be left up to me if I wanna give one or not and should not be hounded if I don't....I'm just as poor as they are or even poorer.....I make a few cents above minimum wages myself and no one tips me....

I disagree with saying anything bad about him because he "can't afford to pay his workers".  A lot of businesses are barely surviving.  To force them to give everyone a raise and then say if you can't handle it you deserve to close your doors is not right.  In the end he will get rid of dead beats and others will work harder for the money they are getting. 

[countrygirl12]

That's just the cost of doing business.    Restaurant jobs pay poorly, they get no benefits and most are part time.  If he can not cover an extra $100 a week to meet the minimum wage, then maybe he needs to not be in business.   The prices around here are going up because of the cost of getting the foods, with the drought and the  cost of fuel.    Several companies (chains) in my area already were paying the employees more than minimum.   Some of these owners are beginning to find out it is cheaper in the long run to pay employees a little more with a little respect. You save the cost of so many new hires and training time.  Happier employees treat your customers better.  The charge on the receipt is going right into the hands of the employer.                                         

You think he should go out of business because he is forced to pay workers with NO skills more than they are worth?  That is a little harsh.  Most people do not grasp the over head that goes along with the hourly wage of every employee.  It costs much more than a mere $7.25 or whatever the employee makes per hour for each employee.  Plus all the costs that go along with running a business.  Everyone seems to think if you own your own business you are rich.  That Walton family - yeah they are rich.  But most business owners are barely making it themselves.
And the .35 is not going directly to the owner.  It will go back into the business.  If it is printed on his receipts he can't very well hide the money.

[countrygirl12]

In a way I think its a bunch of bologna but I do believe a lot of business owners are barely hanging on - but anyway I would not worry about .35 being added although the prices of eating out and buying food are already so high. 

Very true.  I know a man that had to close his doors back when the economy first tanked.  I just happened to stop in to make a purchase on his last day in business.  I had no idea he was closing up.  I mentioned something about why all his lights were out.  And he told me it was his last day.  He had tears in his eyes and it was really sad.  His grandfather had started the business.  And he felt like he had let his grandfather and his father (both who are deceased) down by having to close.  He told me he could close his doors now (then) or keep going and lose everything he had.  So as hard as it was to make the decision he was closing his doors.    A lot of people are having a hard time.  Not just the people making min wage.  There are people making $10 to $12 an hour who are only working 10 or so hours a week so they are struggling as much as the ones making min wage.  Fact is right now about everyone is having a hard time.

[countrygirl12]

It will keep going, one way or another....same price for food but now a 6oz container instead of the 9oz....it's everywhere!

True.  And this is sneakier because people do not realize it has happened. lol.

[lvstephanie]

I applaud this businessman for showing the public what they are voting for. If more people realized what the cost of the good / service is by itself and had additional line-items for every tax or regulation that was imposed on them by the government, the people would realize what they were actually paying for. I would much rather have a business owner be upfront with his costs than to try hiding those costs by raising menu items or skimping on quality and / or portions. If I saw a restaurant doing this, it would probably make me want to go there more often, since by that very act the owner shows me that he is an honest businessman and so I'd feel as though everything he does was done in the same fair and upfront manner.

[countrygirl12]

That is true.  I remember when obamacare was first forced on businesses a while back Papa Johns said they would have to increase the cost of a pizza by 50 cents.  Every pizza would be 50 cents more.  People are not stupid and they see the increase in menu prices.  At least this guy is being honest about why.  I have also noticed McDonald's has increased prices.  I didn't really notice until recently but several of the Dollar Menu Items are more like $1.20 now.  And I think it is called a Value Menu now. lol.  I don't eat out that much any way.  Very rare.