While gratuity fees have been around for a while, often put on bills of large parties, a new optional “kitchen fee” has begun to show up. Many people are angry about the charge and feel like they can’t ask to have it taken off without feeling like a jerk. The President of the American Restaurant Association, said the fees are averaging about 3%. With restaurants facing higher prices, they are using the fees to keep from raising the prices on the menu items. Some customers feel they are being ambushed by the “kitchen appreciation fee” saying there is not any signage warning them about it.
