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Florida restaurant owner adding surcharge on menu for Obamacare

Laura Byrne Contributor
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John Metz, a restaurant owner and executive in West Palm Beach, Fla., says he plans to charge his customers a five-percent surcharge and decrease his employees’ hours to offset the costs of Obamacare on his businesses.

“If I leave the prices the same, but, say on the menu that there is a five-percent surcharge for Obamacare, customers have two choices. They can either pay it, and tip 15 or 20 percent, or if they really feel so inclined, they can reduce the amount of tip they give to the server, who is the primary beneficiary of Obamacare,” Metz told The Huffington Post.

“Although it may sound terrible that I’m doing this, it’s the only alternative. I’ve got to pass the cost on to the consumer,” he added. (RELATED: Wisconsin legislators call for arrest of federal officials who implement Obamacare)

Metz said he will use the new strategy in all of his restaurants, beginning in 2014, when Obamacare’s regulations are expected to be fully implemented. He owns the Hurricane Grill & Wings franchise and is the president and owner of RREMC Restaurants, which oversees approximately 40 Denny’s restaurants and several Dairy Queen stops.

“I think it’s a terrible thing. It’s ridiculous that the maximum hours we can give people is 28 hours a week instead of 40,” Metz added.

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Tags : obamacare
Laura Byrne