Atlanta Restaurant Sparks Controversy With 4% Health Insurance Fee On Customers To Support Staff

Atlanta's JenChan’s, a family-owned restaurant in Cabbagetown, has stirred controversy by imposing a health insurance fee on customers to support its full-time employees

JenChan’s, a family-owned restaurant in Cabbagetown, Atlanta, has stirred controversy by imposing a health insurance fee on customers to support its full-time employees. The 4% health insurance fee, prominently displayed on menus, receipts, and at the restaurant, aims to address rising premiums faced by the establishment, WSFA12 reports.

Owner Emily Chan, who introduced the fee over a year ago, explained its purpose, saying, “We still have an employee that got turned down from health insurance this year. We have three different carriers for our small team, and we just felt like if we put it as a line item, then it would highlight that there’s an issue here and we need to pay attention to it.”

Despite the noble intention, the restaurant has faced threats and criticism, with some customers expressing dissatisfaction over the extra charge. Lead bartender Sam Hammer highlighted a particular incident where a customer, after dining peacefully, vented online threats against Emily, Jen, and their child. Hammer defended the initiative, emphasizing that the owners take care of their employees by including a health insurance charge for all full-time staff.

The restaurant owner remains committed to the cause, addressing what she terms a health insurance crisis. Chan hopes the line item sparks a conversation about the challenges of health insurance accessibility within the industry. She clarified, “I want people to talk about this. That’s why we have it as a line item, is because I feel like it’s worth a conversation. There’s an issue.”

While facing backlash, Chan noted that the majority of support has come from the local community. She remains resolute in maintaining the fee, asserting that no changes will be made unless Congress addresses the broader issue. Despite threats and criticism, many customers have expressed satisfaction, acknowledging the initiative and its positive impact on the restaurant’s staff.

“It’s been pretty awesome, and we’ve been really busy this weekend, just people saying, ‘Hey, I hear what you’re doing for your employees. I work in the restaurant industry, and we never had health insurance,’” Chan shared.

Chan and Hammer, while acknowledging the criticism from individuals outside their local community, emphasize the positive response from locals in Cabbagetown. The restaurant’s commitment to highlighting the health insurance issue remains unwavering, sparking conversations about the challenges faced by restaurant industry workers in accessing affordable healthcare.