Why are restaurants adding so many fees?

Restaurants add fees mostly to cover rising costs while keeping the posted menu price looking lower. Common reasons include:

• Higher labor and operating costs: wages, benefits, rent, utilities, and supplies have all gotten more expensive.
• Food and supply inflation: ingredient and packaging costs can move a lot.
• Payment processing and delivery costs: card processing and third-party delivery fees can be significant, so some restaurants pass part of those costs to customers.
• Service or purpose-specific fees: some restaurants use fees to fund things like healthcare, pay equity, or other employee costs.
• Pricing psychology: a lower listed price can make the menu look more competitive, even if a fee is added at checkout.

That said, these fees can be frustrating because they make the final price less transparent. Rules on whether and how restaurants can charge fees vary by location, so if you’re asking about a specific city or state, it’s worth checking the local disclosure rules or the restaurant’s posted policy.