Johnny’s Restaurant slammed for 18% ‘Festival Surcharge’ fee
A Half Moon Bay restaurant has attracted attention due to a social media post highlighting the addition of a “festival” surcharge during the city’s annual Art & Pumpkin Festival.
Following his visit to Johnny’s restaurant, Bay Area journalist Stanley Roberts posted on X expressing his surprise at encountering an 18% “festival service charge” on his bill. As of Wednesday, his post has garnered over 117,000 views and received numerous comments from readers, each expressing a variety of opinions.
The Tweet read: ‘Interesting story: I was at the Pumpkin Festival and stopped to get breakfast. While sitting at the counter the man next to me asked the owner about the 18% surcharge on the bill. The owner looks at the man, but grabs my arm and says ‘It’s because some people tip poorly but not you.’ as she looks at me. Now keep in mind, I’ve never been there before and hadn’t received my check yet,’
According to the proprietor of Johnny’s, servers were instructed to remove the surcharge for customers who raised objections. Service fees within the restaurant industry have been the subject of extensive debate in recent years and are soon to be impacted by a new California law set to take effect in the coming year. Earlier this month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 478, which will mandate businesses to disclose hidden fees or “unjustified fees” upfront, beginning in July 2024.
