February 28, 2024
Atlanta Restaurant Called Out For Adding Extra Fees To A Patron’s Check
A customer at an Atlanta restaurant is calling out the establishment for allegedly lacking transparency on its surprise charges.
A Metro Atlanta restaurant is being called out for its surprise charges that left a customer feeling swindled. Katch Kitchen and Cocktails is feeling the heat for allegedly lacking transparency on the added fees.
Dramaine Smith noticed a charge while checking his bill at the restaurant. He spoke of his confusion about the untraditional fees with 11Alive.
“We went out to Katch, it’s a restaurant around the corner from my office, in Tucker,” explained Smith, who works as an insurance broker and tax franchise consultant.
“I looked at the receipt, and there was a band fee and entertainment band fee, and I was like, that’s a little weird.”
The bill listed was $20 more than Smith had anticipated paying, leading him to speak with staff about the additional charge he was unaware of.
A spokesperson for Katch released a statement to the news outlet, disclosing that the $10 per person charge is standard when live performances are held at the Atlanta food spot. The charge is meant to subsidize the costs of hosting entertainment, noting that it is a common practice in the industry. As the food industry, especially for Black restauranteurs, is also grappling with a fluctuating economy and financial hurdles, splitting these costs with customers is a solution to elevate their business.
The Jasmine Brand also posted other social media users sharing the man’s sentiments, agreeing that the extra prices should not be on the customer.
Smith does not understand why customers have to foot the bill for something they did not expect or ask for and urges restaurants to be more transparent about the matter.
“Why do I have to pay for the entertainment in a restaurant where y’all can just book the band upfront and we just enjoy it?” expressed Smith.
“It’d be a pleasant surprise when you walk in instead of a charge or a fee.”
Smith says the issue is more with the restaurants seemingly hiding charges until it’s time to pay. Katch remains adamant that they inform all customers of additional fees upon making a reservation, which Smith did not have prior to sitting down. However, he still believes that the fear of charges popping up only takes away from customers’ experience.
“You’re looking to have fun. So you don’t want to have to be constantly looking for extra fees to be on your receipt.”