A Denver diner took to Reddit after being charged $30 for a burger and fry meal, which he claims included a hidden "admin fee."
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The upset Reddit user slammed Earls Kitchen and Bar, a restaurant chain with 67 locations nationwide, for adding unspecified fees in his bill.
He explains that his total for a burger and truffle fries came out to $30.86 before tips, largely due to the inclusion a hidden 3 percent "admin fee."
Reddit Users Sound Off on Hidden Restaurant Fees
The Reddit user ripped the restaurant and declared that he won't be tipping.
"Can a guy even enjoy a burger without being harassed and extorted in this God-forsaken place? This pissed me off... No tip for you," he wrote on Reddit.
While the patron focused on the admin fee, many Reddit users were shocked to see that the $24.75 price tag on burger itself.
"Is this at an airport restaurant inside a Disney or something??? $30 for burger and fries?" a Reddit user commented.
"Around where I live burgers are pushing that," another replied.
A Reddit user wrote: "Omg please make it stop $25 for just the burger an extra for the fries! And they want an admin fee. You can make 4 burgers at home for that price."
"For that price it should have included the fries," another user replied.
"According to FinanceBuzz, menu prices at fast food chains rose between 39 percent and 100 percent from 2014 to 2024.
Mashed published a list this summer of fast-food chains that are raising menu item prices in 2026.
Fan favorites like Burger King, Shake Shack, Taco Bell, KFC, McDonalds and Wendy's were all listed. Even longtime all-day breakfast chain Waffle House is raising certain item prices.
Recently, hidden fees have led to several legal battles, and not just with restaurants.
A Guardian investigation revealed this summer that Circle K and 7-Eleven have been overcharging customers across several states.
The convenience stores are accused of charging higher prices at the register than what is listed on shelves.
The report found Circle K failed 35 percent of price-accuracy inspections in Florida, 62 percent in North Carolina, and 82 percent in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025.
7-Eleven failed 47 percent of its price-check inspections in Colorado and Utah, the outlet reported.
