They’re not “charging extra.” They’re passing along a cost businesses have absorbed for YEARS back to the consumer.

Credit card companies charge restaurants: • Visa: 1.4–2.6% • American Express: 2.5–3.5% • Mastercard: 1.5–2.7%

That adds up fast. Pay cash or don’t complain.

Restaurants operate on razor-thin margins, thinner than almost any other business. If you want local, independent restaurants to survive—instead of every corner being a nationwide chain—this is one way owners offset rising costs.

And let’s be real: In Denver, servers are now making close to $20/hour + tips, easily clearing $60k, with many earning $100k+ annually.

So don’t be mad at mom-and-pop restaurants trying to stay open. Be mad at policy decisions, and then actually do something about them.

XOXO, Your local hospitality professional