Restaurant sparks debate after adding ‘bad parent fee’ to menu

From tipping culture to the politics of charging for bread and butter - it's clear that some restaurants have a load of differences when it comes to service etiquette.

However, one dining establishment has proven to be at the heart of quite a heated debate online after adding a 'bad parent fee' to its menu.

Now, I'm sure we'd all rather eat in some nice ambiance instead of with screaming children running all over the joint causing chaos but can you actually demand parents cough up for failing to keep their little ones?

Well, this eatery had no problem doing so.

Cavan Images / Getty Images

One Reddit user took to the platform to share the menu at the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Georgia, US, on the 'Mildly Interesting' thread.

They uploaded a picture along with the caption: "This restaurant charges you extra for bad parenting."

The menu started off normal enough with a list of soft and hot drinks all priced at $2.50 each - but was followed by a handful of rules.

It read: "Gratuity of 20 percent may be added to parties over 6, separate checks, Birthday Menu."

OK - all fairly standard.

However, the menu then got into the 'adult surcharge', reading: "For adults unable to parent $$$. Share charge $3."

And it seems the fee has actually been put into practice with some of the online reviews for the restaurant mentioning the parenting charge - with one claiming they were asked to fork over an extra $50 (£41) at the end of their meal.

Reddit/@LPineapplePizzaLover

Their review said: "The owner came out and told me he was adding $50 to my bill because of my children’s behaviour.

"My kids watched a tablet until the food arrived, ate their food and my wife took them outside while I waited and paid the bill.

"Disappointed by the experience."

Tyla has contacted the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant for comment.

And people had some opinions on the menu, with one Reddit user hitting out: "That formatting is painful."

A second quipped: "Extra charge for not using cash? 20 per cent for separate checks and using the birthday menu? Yeah f*ck this place."

"Gotta read an essay just to figure out how much you will be charged. Places like this can f*ck right off," echoed a third.

And a fourth chimed in: "They’re also adding a 3.5 per cent surcharge for paying with a card and disguising it as a discount for paying with cash. Good way to lose your merchant account."

Other people, however, were seemingly a lot more understanding of the surcharge.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

One Reddit user penned: "'Ive been out eat more than once where parents were literally letting their kids wild.

"Not sure if this is the answer, but something definitely should be done about such parents."

A second praised: "The idea of bad parents having to face actual consequences for not parenting their kids (ie. letting them run and scream around and be in the way and disturb others) is great, but the rest not so much."

"No problem with the rule," declared a third. "My problem would be with the vague 'unable to parent' description. Along with an even more vague amount I will owe. $$$ lol."

A final Reddit user added: "You know, I never considered the idea of a F*ck Them Kids fee, but I'm not opposed."

What do you make of it?

Topics: Parenting, Real Life, Money, Food and Drink

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.