Covid 19 Surcharges On Bills ???

by Derek MajorMay 14, 2020
WHY COVID-19 SURCHARGES

ARE BEING ADDED

TO YOUR TAKE-OUT BILL

by Derek Major

May 14, 2020


Young african-american man eating Chinese food delivery
(Image: iStock/Prostock-Studio)

Many restaurants are simply trying to stay afloat
during the COVID-19 pandemic, but food delivery apps
are taking a big cut of every delivery, and food costs are rising.

Now, many customers are noticing a new charge on their receipts.

According to Today, many restaurants have begun adding
a COVID-19 surcharge to their orders and customers
are surprised by the new charge.

The issue was brought to the nation’s attention
when a woman posted a photo of her receipt
from the Kiko Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge
in West Plains, Missouri.

“‘Scuse me … what? A covid surcharge…?”

Twitter user @talialikeitis wrote Monday.

The internet was quick to react negatively as customers
have also had to sacrifice money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 26 million people in the U.S. are currently unemployed
with the number rising every day.

However, some customers were happy to pay an extra fee
to help out their favorite local eatery.

Kiko Japanese Steakhouse’s owner
and managing partner Billy Yuzar told
Today the surcharge was implemented
in early May due to a noticeable price increase
on meat, seafood, and vegetables from their local supplier.

“We were hoping to adjust the charge weekly
based on the prices we get from our suppliers
instead of raising all of our prices across the board
on our menu,” Yuzar told NBC.

“We also planned on taking this surcharge
off completely once all the prices return to normal.”


According to CNBC, prices for groceries jumped 2.6%
in the month of April.

The percentage is the largest increase since 1974.

Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 4.3%;
fruits and vegetables climbed 1.5%;
cereals and bakery products advanced 2.9%;
dairy goods gained 1.5%.

The state of Missouri has allowed local restaurants to reopen
their dining rooms at 25% capacity but many,
including Kiko Japanese Steakhouse,
have decided to stay closed to the public
and continue to serve takeout only.

Yuzar said his restaurant posted multiple signs
about the surcharge and most customers were understanding.

However, once the post of the receipt went viral, t
he restaurant was slammed with complaints.
In response, the restaurant has eliminated
the surcharge and raised the price of menu items.

“We can take the harassment on our social media,
but when they start being ugly to our employees here,
it really bothers us,” Yuzar told NBC.

“This is why we decided to just eat the cost of printing
new menus and adjust it weekly.

We will go back to our normal prices once food prices go back to normal.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the restaurant industry
so hard that some large chain restaurants
applied for and received funds earmarked for small businesses.

Many of them gave the funds back after pressure from the public.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/why-covid-19-surcharges-are-being-added-to-your-tak-eout-bill/

 

Check your bills:

Some businesses

are adding a

COVID-19 surcharge

CHECK OUT VIDEO on this link at bottom

May 18, 2020 at 12:01 PM CDT - Updated May 18 at 12:06 PM

(Gray News) - You may see increased costs when you get your bill
at establishments like restaurants and hair salons,
as many are adding a COVID-19 surcharge.

Businesses have been adding the charge to the bill
to help cover extra expenses related to the pandemic.

Ozark Cafe in West Plains, Missouri,
is one restaurant that has added a 5% surcharge.

The owner cited rising food prices and diminished meat supplies
as a reason for the levy.

“Every day there’s something else that they can’t get
or the prices have gone up exorbitantly,”
co-owner Heather Hughes told KY3.

Some restaurant managers and owners
have even seen meat prices doubling
as a result of the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

Other restaurants in the West Plains area have advertised
the surcharge so customers aren’t surprised
when they receive their bill.

While not every customer is a fan of the added price,
many are understanding of the restaurants’ decisions.

“I absolutely support it," Maylee Stewart said.

"I think it’s a good thing for us as a community
to help support our local businesses.
It’s really not a lot.
They’re really not adding too much on to the total.
I think mine was 66 cents today,
and I’d pay more if they needed it.”


The surcharge is expected to be temporary.

One restaurant manager said once food prices
return to a sense of normalcy,
the surcharge will no longer be seen on customers’ receipts.

It’s not just restaurants adding the surcharge. KVLY reports
North Dakota-based M.J. Capelli Family Hair Salons
decided to add a COVID-19 surcharge as well.

The company released a statement
saying it is because state restrictions have increased operating costs.

Copyright 2020 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.






https://www.wsfa.com/2020/05/18/che...EX8lHlIxMRP7-m0qzZU4HNdWpmTLUmz7UaNBOH4-zs0mU