An outraged diner is calling out Earls Kitchen + Bar after discovering a surprise "admin fee" quietly tacked onto his dinner bill. The popular upscale casual restaurant chain, with over 67 locations across the US and Canada, is now facing criticism following the customer's post on Reddit.
The patron shared a photo of his receipt from an Earls location in Denver, which included a 3% surcharge labeled as an "admin fee." The bill for a deluxe burger and truffle fries, before the fee and tip, was $27.75, bringing the total to $30.86 after the surcharge was applied.
"What the hell is even an ‘Admin Fee’?” the customer wrote on Reddit. “Can a guy even enjoy a burger without being harassed and extorted in this God-forsaken place? This pissed me off… No tip for you!”
The post resonated with many users on the r/EndTipping subreddit, who expressed frustration with rising restaurant costs and undisclosed fees. Some commenters suggested that such fees amount to a hidden tax or a way for restaurants to increase revenue without explicitly raising menu prices.
This incident echoes similar customer complaints at other establishments. Earlier this month, Los Angeles restaurant Üca Terraza faced backlash for charging a 5% administrative surcharge, which, combined with a mandatory 20% gratuity, significantly increased the final bill for diners.
The controversy highlights a broader trend of increasing surcharges and mandatory gratuities in the restaurant industry. A recent survey indicated that a significant majority of American consumers feel that current tipping practices have become excessive, with many reporting an increase in default gratuity prompts on digital checkout screens and feeling pressured to tip even for mediocre service.