In California they also add “service fees” and “cost of living fees” with the letters description being “to provide adequate pay and insurance for employees. This is not a tip, please tip your server” and that exists so management can scrape off an additional 15% that goes into an “employee fund” which just means they take it and pocket it.
Like how about you just pay your employees and then if I think they did a superb job I will give them a little extra
They list those fees, like COL, healthcare, ect, to send a message. Usually to complain about a politician or law. I've been in a couple restaurants that had it listed and they name the governor and/or the law. They don't have to, they can put it in the price like everything else. If one of their vendors raises prices they don't and try to make a statement or list it as a separate cost. It's disrespectful to the employees too, like I didn't want to give my employees enough money to live but unfortunately I have to. I once brought it up to a waiter after getting a bill with added costs and you could tell she hated her boss for putting it on the menu. Made sure to give her cash tip. I don't eat at those restaurants anymore and will walk out as soon as I see it listed.
98
u/zcontium 10h ago
10% isn't bad, but here in the US you're kind of expected to tip 20%-25% on most things