Lawmakers are targeting “junk fees,” but restaurants are trying to avoid getting involved. Surcharges for credit card processing, gratuities, and inflation have become more common on restaurant bills.

Last year, 15% of restaurant owners added these fees due to rising costs. Critics argue that these fees can surprise customers and increase their bills unexpectedly.

The Biden administration is pushing to ban hidden and misleading fees across various industries, including restaurants, NBC News has reported.

However, restaurants argue that these surcharges are essential for staying profitable and fairly compensating employees in a challenging industry.

Written by B.C. Begley