OysterLink Poll: 54% of Hospitality Workers Say "Service Fees" Confuse Guests

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent OysterLink poll of nearly 50 hospitality professionals revealed that "service fees" and "inflation fees" added to guest bills are creating more confusion than clarity. These fees, also known as "living wage fees"—typically a 15–22% surcharge added to guest checks—are intended to help restaurants cover fair wages.

According to the results, 54% of respondents said these fees confuse guests, while only 8% felt they help ensure fair wages. Opinions were divided on tipping: 15% said the fees hurt their tips, while 23% reported a boost in tips.

The findings highlight the growing tension around tipping culture in the restaurant and hospitality industry. While many restaurants have introduced "service fees" or "living wage fees" to offset rising costs, staff feedback suggests that the lack of transparency often backfires—leaving guests unsure whether the charges replace tips or are in addition to them.

In 2025, Google Trends recorded a sharp spike in searches for "living wage fee" and "inflation fee," with the highest interest in West Virginia, Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, and New York. Muck Rack tracked around 40 news articles on the topic during that period. OysterLink's own survey data shows that many hospitality workers reported hearing about the fee either through customers, social media, or internal discussions at work.

About OysterLink
OysterLink is a platform dedicated to empowering restaurant and hospitality professionals through career opportunities, industry insights, and community-driven resources.

About OysterLink

OysterLink is a job platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. We connect restaurants, hotels, and hospitality employers with skilled candidates across the U.S.

With job listings, including bartender jobs in New York City or sous chef jobs in Chicago, industry insights, and career resources, OysterLink helps professionals build rewarding careers in hospitality.

Media Contact
PR Representative
Ana Demidova
ana@oysterlink.com

SOURCE OysterLink