Minnesota Restaurant Charges 'Minimum Wage Fee'

A restaurant in Minnesota has added a new fee to customers' checks to help it "offset the cost of an increased minimum wage for tipped employees." According to CBS, Oasis Cafe is now charging a $.35 "minimum wage fee." The owners claim that "the pay increase is costing them more than $10,000 a year."

The move has gained mixed reactions from customers. Some commenters on the restaurant's Facebook page sympathize with the difficulties of running a small business. However, many proclaimed that they "won't be eating at Oasis" any longer and that it's "ridiculous that they are charging that fee." Others have explained their surprise at the fee: One commenter writes, "You're essentially blaming customers for the increase when you charge for it the way you do." Others have noted that most restaurants would just slightly increase menu prices to offset the costs, not outright add a line for it on each customer's check.

While Oasis is tacking on extra charges for wage increases, other restaurants have added fees to help cover the costs of health care coverage for employees. An eatery in Florida implemented a 1% healthcare surcharge on each bill earlier this year. Republique in Los Angeles also has a similar fee, except it adds 3% to each check.

· Restaurant Charging Customers Minimum Wage Fee [CBS]
· Oasis Cafe [Facebook]
· All Receipt Coverage on Eater [-E-]