Current Events > COVID-19 surcharge popping up on restaurant bills

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https://www.businessinsider.com/restaurants-covid-19-surcharges-spark-backlash-as-meat-costs-grow-2020-5

Angry customers are complaining about restaurants adding COVID-19 surcharges. But, owners say they are simply trying to stay in business as food costs skyrocket.

Earlier this week, a tweet showing the receipt from Kiko Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Lounge in West Plains, Missouri, went viral after a customer noticed a "COVID-19 surcharge."

Many responded with outrage, questioning why the coronavirus pandemic would lead to the restaurant adding on a 5% surcharge.

According to a post on Kiko's Facebook page, the outrage continued off-line. The restaurant owner wrote that employees had been harassed due to the photo of the receipt.

"Please understand we are not doing this to take advantage of you guys!" the post reads. "We are doing this hoping we can adjust the surcharge weekly rather than just raise all of our prices on our menu due to increase prices from our supplier on meat, poultry, seafood & produce."

The post questioned why people were harassing Kiko workers when meat suppliers had raised prices due to the "broken" meat supply chain.

Meat plants have been forced to close due to COVID-19 outbreaks in recent weeks, causing prices to skyrocket. Fresh meat prices were up 8.1% at the end of April, and experts say prices could increase by an unprecedented 20% in the coming months.

Kiko announced it would remove the surcharge, instead raising prices on all menu items.

West Plains local news station KY3 reported that two other local restaurants, Ozark Cafe and Bootleggers BBQ, had also added 5% surcharges. While many customers told KY3 they were happy to pay, Buffalo BBQ announced earlier this week it was dropping the surcharge, instead choosing to raise prices.

"We appreciate all of your support and understanding during this very unusual trying times!" the restaurant posted on Facebook. "Please remember we are all human, treat each other with decency and respect, and let's try to get along and get through this together!"

Purple Cow, a diner in Kingsport, Tennessee, also ended a surcharge on beef prices this week "due to confusion." After a burst of angry Facebook comments, the restaurant announced it would instead change the prices on individual menu items, apologizing for any inconvenience.

Goog's Pub and Grub in Holland, Michigan wrote on Facebook that it has seen remarkable support since adding a $1 "COVID charge," to counteract sky-rocketing beef prices. An Instagram photo, spotted by NBC's Today show, appears to show a $1 carne asada surcharge at Ramberto's in San Diego.
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Fine but no tip
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Fuck small businesses for raising prices to try to stay in business

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that was dumb, just raise menu prices

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AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

Fuck small businesses for raising prices to try to stay in business

Yeah they should receive less pay for giving the same product in these strange and uncertain times

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People can be such insufferable narcissists sometimes.

"Reopen the economy so we can go eat at restaurants again! We need to support small restaurateurs and get back to normal!"

::sees $1 surcharge on bill to mitigate overall price increase on menu items::

"Fuck you you greedy restaurant owner tryin' ta take advantage of me! Rot in hell you greedy bastards!"

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EnterTheTekken posted...

People can be such insufferable narcissists sometimes.

"Reopen the economy so we can go eat at restaurants again! We need to support small restaurateurs and get back to normal!"

::sees $1 surcharge on bill to mitigate overall price increase on menu items::

"Fuck you you greedy restaurant owner tryin' ta take advantage of me! Rot in hell you greedy bastards!"

Making it a surcharge feels like they are trying to hide it. Sounds like customers werent told and only made those posts because people noticed and called them out. I bet a flat menu increase would have been fine.

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EnragedSlith posted...

that was dumb, just raise menu prices

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EnragedSlith posted...

that was dumb, just raise menu prices

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okay which one of you ordered the covid19

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Fair to be mad because they were being deceptive.

It would be better to raise the menu prices, but replacing the menus could also be a cost the restaurant may not want to incur. Which if that happens the restaurant needs to be very clear about the extra fee.

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EnragedSlith posted...

that was dumb, just raise menu prices

Its only dumb that they didnt post signs notifying people about the charge.

Otherwise it makes a lot more sense than ordering all new menus and likely making the increase permanent.


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Cheese_Crackers posted...

Making it a surcharge feels like they are trying to hide it. Sounds like customers werent told and only made those posts because people noticed and called them out. I bet a flat menu increase would have been fine.

I will concede if customers weren't told about it, but the article doesn't really clarify that. However, harassing employees who probably just started to get back to work after lockdowns is a bad look.

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Returning_CEmen posted...

Fair to be mad because they were being deceptive.

right... just temporarily raise menu prices to cover the average cost of the increase in meat prices would be fine.
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AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

Fuck small businesses for raising prices to try to stay in business

No, that's what you're supposed to do.
Leaving menu prices the same, while adding an arbitrary "surprise!" fee to the check, is just bullshit.

The former is an annoyance. The latter will just piss off the customers into going somewhere else, possibly permanently.

EnterTheTekken posted...

I will concede if customers weren't told about it, but the article doesn't really clarify that. However, harassing employees who probably just started to get back to work after lockdowns is a bad look.

Yeah, going after employees is shitty. Anyway, key point is transparency. Make it clear before people sit down to order that prices have changed.

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EnragedSlith posted...

that was dumb, just raise menu prices

Printing all new menus isn't free and probably costs more than the surcharge, especially if their goal is to adjust weekly to changing prices.

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SK8T3R215 posted...

EnragedSlith posted...

that was dumb, just raise menu prices

Do you all realize how inane that suggestion is? This week is 5%, next week it could be 7%, the week after 10%, etc. Having to reprint the menus however often the price needs to be changed is not logistically sound, especially if they have another firm print the menus for them which could easily cost $50 or more for a few dozen menus. All they need to do is be more upfront and transparent with their price adjustments such as being handed a piece of paper along with the menu with the price adjustment in large print with an explanation underneath.
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kingdrake2 posted...

right... just temporarily raise menu prices to cover the average cost of the increase in meat prices would be fine.

So get all new menus printed and use them for a few months then toss em?

not sure how you think thats a smart solution for a business that is trying to avoid spending money.

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Paragon21XX posted...

Do you all realize how inane that suggestion is? This week is 5%, next week it could be 7%, the week after 10%, etc. Having to reprint the menus every or however often the price needs to be changed is not logistically sound, especially if they have another firm print the menus for them which could easily cost $50 or more for a few dozen menus. All they need to do is be more upfront and transparent with their price adjustments such as being handed a piece of paper along with the menu with the price adjustment in large print with an explanation underneath.

thats way too confusing. When I go to a place I want to know how much it costs. Not have a surprise at the end. Either change it on the menu or dont change it at all. Its not that complicated.


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Make it clear before people sit down to order that prices have changed.

simple as that.

better than a menu change too because you don't have that issue where people are sitting down already.
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I definitely think the surcharge route was the right avenue, but should definitely be clear before ordering, even if that just means the hostess telling customers "In order to cover rising costs because of broken supply lines, a 5% surcharge will be added to the check. Will that be ok?"

What I'm picturing now is they just never reset the prices if and when this whole thing blows over.

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This is happening in my city, too, though its at different small businesses. I get that they need to get money because theyve been out of business for thirty to sixty days, but they need to understand that their customers went without paychecks, too. We have rent that we have to pay from the time that we werent getting work. We dont have the pocket money to pay an extra 20% at every store.

kewldude475 posted...

This post makes zero sense, because adding a literal entire charge on the receipt is much more noticeable than simply upping the cost by 5% on menu items. I highly doubt you know the prices of most restaurant dishes enough to notice a sudden 5% increase. Adding a literal extra charge visible on the receipt is much more transparent, obviously.

its after the fact. At that point youve already eaten and it comes as a surprise.


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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

thats way too confusing. When I go to a place I want to know how much it costs. Not have a surprise at the end. Either change it on the menu or dont change it at all. Its not that complicated.

Like others said you wouldnt even notice the change that way.

Also how the fuck many different menus you want them to get printed?

the obvious and simple solution is what they did. They just need to make people aware of it in advance.


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DevsBro posted...

I definitely think the surcharge route was the right avenue, but should definitely be clear before ordering, even if that just means the hostess telling customers "In order to cover rising costs because of broken supply lines, a 5% surcharge will be added to the check. Will that be ok?"

What I'm picturing now is they just never reset the prices if and when this whole thing blows over.

not after theyve already sat down. This needs to be said first thing before they even sit down.


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kewldude475 posted...

The article said 5%. And pretty sure people without disposable income don't eat at restaurants. Well, responsible people anyways.

Oh, I actually was referring to an experience that I had at a local store (not a restaurant).

CanuckCowboy posted...

Like others said you wouldnt even notice the change that way.

Also how the fuck many different menus you want them to get printed?

the obvious and simple solution is what they did. They just need to make people aware of it in advance.

i would notice the price, that is fucking ridiculous to say People wouldnt.

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kewldude475 posted...

This post makes zero sense, because adding a literal entire charge on the receipt is much more noticeable than simply upping the cost by 5% on menu items. I highly doubt you know the prices of most restaurant dishes enough to notice a sudden 5% increase. Adding a literal extra charge visible on the receipt is much more transparent, obviously.

But you dont get the receipt until youve already paid. Whatever you want to do, the most transparent method is to tell customers that prices have increased before they sit down and order.

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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

not after theyve already sat down. This needs to be said first thing before they even sit down.

Yeah, the hostess is the chick who greets you at the door, asks how many are in your party and shows you to the table, so she would be in the ideal position to provide this information.

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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

i would notice the price, that is fucking ridiculous to say People wouldnt.

Bullshit.

tell me the exact price of dishes you order at a restaraunt or two without looking em up.

Oh you cant? No shit you cant.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Bullshit.

tell me the exact price of dishes you order at a restaraunt or two without looking em up.

Oh you cant? No shit you cant.

yes, I actually could. You think everyone is like you, but I live on a budget and know exactly how much prices are for things I order. It may surprise you that others do too.


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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

yes, I actually could. You think everyone is like you, but I live on a budget and know exactly how much prices are for things I order. It may surprise you that others do too.

I dont believe you but even if you do youre in a tiny tiny minority. Claiming otherwise is absurd.


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Paragon21XX posted...

Do you all realize how inane that suggestion is? This week is 5%, next week it could be 7%, the week after 10%, etc. Having to reprint the menus however often the price needs to be changed is not logistically sound, especially if they have another firm print the menus for them which could easily cost $50 or more for a few dozen menus. All they need to do is be more upfront and transparent with their price adjustments such as being handed a piece of paper along with the menu with the price adjustment in large print with an explanation underneath.

Menus are frequently changed anyway. You're vastly overestimating the cost of printing new menus.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

I dont believe you but even if you do youre in a tiny tiny minority. Claiming otherwise is absurd.

Im serious i could. You have no idea if Im in the minority or not. You just assume that everyone is like you. And you know what assuming does.

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Literaly 99.99999% of the population wouldnt notice a 5% shift in prices at a restaraunt even if they go there once a week.

The t bone with salad and potatoes was 24.65 last time and now its 26.15! What madness is this?!?

not happening.

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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

Im serious i could. You have no idea if Im in the minority or not. You just assume that everyone is like you. And you know what assuming does.

sure man. Sure.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Literaly 99.99999% of the population wouldnt notice a 5% shift in prices at a restaraunt even if they go there once a week.

The t bone with salad and potatoes was 24.65 last time and now its 26.15! What madness is this?!?

not happening.

yes, they would. Where are you getting this 99.99% from? Oh your own personal thoughts? Well thats a great resource

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I have no problem with it so long as they're up front about it before the customer sits down. Don't like it don't eat there.
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I totally get it, and I'll have to raise rent on my units next semester almost assuredly due to some lost revenue this year, but specially labeling it as a Covid-19 surcharge does come of kind of lacking in tact unless identified very obviously in advance.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Literaly 99.99999% of the population wouldnt notice a 5% shift in prices at a restaraunt even if they go there once a week.

The t bone with salad and potatoes was 24.65 last time and now its 26.15! What madness is this?!?

not happening.

Nah, 5% would be easily noticable because of how common .99 and .49 are.

You see $5.24 on a menu and it'll catch your eye for sure.

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Ludwig Von 2 posted...

yes, they would. Where are you getting this 99.99% from? Oh your own personal experience and thought? Well thats a great resource

Its basic reasoning and logic. Dont be dense.

Go do a poll if you want. Itll prove me right.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Its basic reasoning and logic. Dont be dense.

I dont really care about this debate either way, but thats not a good argument.

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CanuckCowboy posted...

Its basic reasoning and logic. Dont be dense.

Go do a poll if you want. Itll prove me right.

you do a poll and prove it, your logic and basic reasoning are basically that everyone thinks like you. Do a poll right now and prove it if youre so confident. Its not on me to prove it, that my dude, lies with you.

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DevsBro posted...

Nah, 5% would be easily noticable because of how common .99 and .49 are.

You see $5.24 on a menu and it'll catch your eye for sure.

This is assuming you actually remember the prices of a thing and that they dont round it up (which they likely would cause thats just how businesses roll).

I mean theres a difference between noticing the actual price change and noticing an odd number

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