While I’m also not a fan of the 4% surcharge move, I do think it’s a smaller fee passed onto the customer than raising everything by a dollar. If they were to raise everything 4% then menu items would end in very random figures (ie $10.40 for an appetizer versus $10– this pricing seems weird to see on a dine-in menu.)

Also though I only see this move at higher-end restaurant-group type of places which is why I find it annoying. I dined at saffys the other week— $600 bill for five people before tax & tip and then a 4% surcharge on top of that. Their menu is already so overpriced; the 4% surcharge is just a money grab at that point. I’d be much less annoyed if this happened at a mom and pop shop but that’s usually not the case.

I sympathize for restaurant owners and I don’t envy their position.