Credit card service fees have been in the news recently.

It seems some restaurants in California have been adding a surcharge on the customer bill for using a credit card.

This has caused a public backlash.

I was at a restaurant seminar recently.  Many of the restaurant owners who attended the seminar and add the fee said that they saw little resistance from the guests.

Adding a fee onto a check sounds harsh to some.  Why not take a different approach.  Since almost everyone uses credit cards these days, why not just increase your menu prices by 3-5% and then give a 3% discount for cash customers.

That seems more palatable from a consumer standpoint and you can even use it as a promotion.  “3% cash discount for cash paying customers.” 

What do you think?