US Restaurant Sparks Debate with 'Living Wage Fee' Addition on Menu

A US restaurant has taken the internet aback by adding a 18% "living wage fee" to its food bill, sparking heated debates and comments on social media platforms such as Instagram and Reddit.

The bill in question shows an order of a sandwich, burger, and fries, with the total amount including a "living wage fee" of $5.94 (approximately ₹515), which is 18% of the subtotal before tax. The restaurant has explained that this fee goes directly to staff payroll, with the option for customers to leave a tip that is then pooled among the entire team.

While some customers have praised the move as a way for employees to receive a living wage, others have expressed outrage and confusion about the fees, with one commenter attributing the addition of the "living wage fee" to a business owner being financially unable to pay their employees adequately.

The comment section on Reddit has been filled with various perspectives, with some speculating that the restaurant's aim is to get around labor laws by using this workaround. One commenter suggested that the 18% fee could be seen as an equivalent service charge, while another pointed out that leaving a tip was no longer applicable.

As the debate continues on social media, it remains to be seen how consumers will react to restaurants adding similar living wage fees in the future.