By Deborah Grigsby | The Denver Gazette
The Colorado Restaurant Association expressed skepticism of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposal to tack a service charge onto local restaurant bills, while the Denver Chamber of Commerce argued that adding the fee — and thereby raising prices — would discourage sales.
On Monday, Johnston told City Cast Denver, a popular podcast, that a 20% service charge added to restaurant bills — and then taxing the total amount — could help local restaurants offset the city’s higher minimum wage and promote what he called pay equity among tipped and non-tipped employees.