twincities.com
Self-described foodie and “social media influencer” Chris Ashbach of Arden Hills sat down at the Freehouse, a brewery and restaurant in the Minneapolis North Loop, last month and ordered half a dozen oysters and a coffee for $14. When the bill arrived, it included a 3 percent “Employee Wellness” charge — a cost that he says was not advertised in an obvious location on the menu or within the restaurant.
In a recently filed class action lawsuit against the Blue Plate Restaurant Co., Ashbach contends in five counts that the charge amounts to deceptive trade practices, theft, fraud and unjust enrichment. According to the lawsuit, it was unclear whether the 3 percent fee was optional or mandatory, or whether all employees would benefit from it.
The lawsuit, filed in Hennepin County District Court toward the end of November by attorney Jon Farnsworth of Minneapolis-based Spencer Fane, seeks an injunction against the surcharges and at least $50,000 in damages. More
This has popped up at some Austin restaurants and we refuse to go to them. It is virtue signaling. Just raise your prices and take care of your employees. No one wants to be subjected to that and feel as if it is our responsibility to fund their healthcare as a separate line item on top of the service we are paying for and tipping .
If you choose to charge it at your restaurant you had better notify people in advance.
And then I will go elsewhere. As Anonymous said, either raise your prices or don’t, but don’t add a surcharge and expect people to buy into your politics.
I would reciprocate with a customer wellness charge.
I demand a 3% charge everytime I post a comment. Lol
How about a 3% GFYS charge…
I would either request that it be taken off the bill, or would take it out of the tip.
Nope.
OK, so they are proud with how well they treat their employees. What does that have to do with not clearly letting patrons know about it ahead of time.
And I thought Obamacare was going to make healthcare more affordable.anyway.
@Racer X
When I find out their underhanded tactics…..the tip is already gone.
And so am I.
“Social Media Influencer” has got to be the biggest crock of shit since the Piltdown Man.
If I see that crap, first, I take it out of the tip and I write that on the bill. Then I never return, if I can remember where I am.
Oysters and coffee…couldn’t read the rest.