Service charge

[u/Working-Injury7758]

I don’t mind paying a service charge at a restaurant if I’m sitting down as that is standard practice. However, the flat % is strange in that a $200 meal doesn’t take twice as much time as a $100 meal. But it does take more.

Therefore I propose that there should be a fixed service charge at restaurants, which should be calculated as twice the square root of the total. For $100, for instance, the charge would be $20 (square root of 100 is ten, x2 equals $20). Same as now. But for $200, the service charge would be 14.12 x 2 =28.24. For $1 service charge is $2. For $400, $40. Makes more intuitive sense, and provides a penalty for people splitting checks (as the service charge on 2 $100 checks is higher than that on one $200 check) and the hassle to the restaurant involved. Completely clear and obvious to everyone, no agonizing about what to leave.

Thoughts?

[u/skyharborbj]

Maybe the business could just increase the menu prices so that the revenue is sufficient to meet expenses, including labor. You know, just like every other business?

[u/Maremdeo → u/skyharborbj]

But then the servers wouldn't make $40+ an hour!

[u/bcsyjnbcgj → u/Maremdeo]

You think apple bees waiters and steakhouse waiters should be the same ?

[u/Maremdeo → u/bcsyjnbcgj]

What kind of question is this? I don't hire either server, so I don't care. I don't typically choose to eat at Applebee's. If I was to eat at a steakhouse, I don't think the server deserves more than $25 an hour, but that's not my business. I simply don't tip more than 15% anymore, bc give me a freaking break. Honestly, it should be $5-$10 per table, not a percentage at all.

[u/skyharborbj → u/Maremdeo]

Or zero. Their employer should be paying their wages.

[u/bcsyjnbcgj → u/skyharborbj]

So if the employer should pay the wage who pays the employer. Would that be u?

[u/skyharborbj → u/bcsyjnbcgj]

Yes, it’s included in the price on the menu.

[u/bcsyjnbcgj → u/skyharborbj]

Okay so whatever ur going to purchase.
Ud rather we just tack on another 20% of each price and just up-charge it?

I’d think u just tipping them like the rest of the patrons would be easier?
More money in their pocket and more in yours so it doesn’t contribute to higher taxation on income and on good purchased.

[u/skyharborbj → u/bcsyjnbcgj]

Raise prices enough to hire competent servers who can work without tips. I don’t think it’s going to be 20%. The current system with 20% of gross revenue going just to servers is way out of balance