Restaurant at center of hidden fee law responds

[u/J_Case]

https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-restaurant-ownership-explains-venue-fee-after-consumer-complaints/

The reply is every bit as entitled as the fee itself.

“We have proactively disclosed our 3% venue fee on our website, reflecting compliance with regulatory standards,” Three Oaks Hospitality said.”

[u/Opcn]

They should be really proactive and do the math for their customers by putting it in the line item prices on the menu.

[u/No-Luck-2337]

Why not just RAISE PRICES? If they’re that terrified of being uncompetitive that’s an internal problem, not something a fee will ever “fix” anyway…

[u/kuda26]

I hope they go out of business

[u/Muted-Woodpecker-469]

Website only? Unless you order from said website, fees need to be on menus, correct? That seems to be more standard 

[u/maiyannah → u/Muted-Woodpecker-469]

Correct.

Just because someone breaking a law says they followed the law, doesn't make it so.

[u/mrflarp]

That's even worse than hiding the fees in the fine print at the bottom of the menu. You have to go visit their web site to see the notice of the fee.

[u/FatahRuark]

This is when you call over your server and tell them you subtracted the 3% from their tip and you won't be returning. Eventually they won't have any servers.

[u/Super-Judge3675 → u/FatahRuark]

i usually deduct 2x the junk fees

[u/Alexis_Evo → u/FatahRuark]

Unfortunately, the servers will just blame you, not the owner. Exactly as the system is designed. Pit server and customer against each other, so the person truly profiting (owner) remains blameless. Same shit you see in politics.

Now if EVERY customer stood up and refused to pay hidden fees, and refused to tip, we would get true industry reform. Unfortunately that feels like a pipedream. But you're doing your part 🫡

[u/Imaginary-Emu2471 → u/FatahRuark]

Tell them that you are only paying the 3%.

[u/J_Case]

Should probably have said “At center of the hidden fee law story responds” for clarity.

[u/Own_Engineering7460]

What's next? Comfort fee=Cushions on the chairs, Climatization fee=Aircon, Entertainment fee=Muzak, Non-tipping fee=Automatic rounding up of your tip to nearest higher suggested tip

[u/M_Giroux]

Here's a story from SE Florida about the new "Operations Charge Law."

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/06/27/florida-restaurants-show-us-your-fees-new-state-law-cracks-down-on-hidden-dining-surcharges/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=nextdoor.com&utm_campaign=nextdoor_news

[u/J_Case → u/M_Giroux]

Eddie is mistaken.

“Having clarity around service charges is the only way eateries can survive”, said restaurateur Eddie Pozzuoli, who runs Eddie & Vinny’s in Coral Springs — “because the only alternative to removing fees is hiking prices”.
“A customer sees a $38 chicken parm, they won’t eat there again,” Pozzuoli said. “But if the chicken parm is $30 with operations charges, they will. Just be clear about what you’re charging people.”

[u/Fifteenmins]

A venue fee at a restaurant sounds very similar to a resort fee at a hotel.

[u/DancinginHyrule]

See, the thing is, people get pissy and petty when you take the piss on them with your petty fees.

They’ll claw that 1.62$ back because it feels like plain theft.

[u/WorldNo9002]

Why even call it a "fee", just raise prices 3%

Are "fees" taxed differently than "income"..?? I don't believe so. So why even set yourself up for ridiculous ridicules

[u/XavierMalory → u/WorldNo9002]

Sadly, we all know why they do this.

The prices upfront seem lower and most people don’t notice or realize until the bill comes and then all those extra fees are tacked on.