In the quiet town of Wayne, New Jersey, a local diner’s questionable business practice has sparked outrage across the country. Melissa Desch, a concerned mom, recently visited the cafe with her 11-year-old daughter Bella and Bella’s friends. After placing their milkshake orders, Bella texted Melissa a picture of the receipt – and that’s when Melissa noticed an unexpected addition to the bill: an extra charge, dubbed the “teen tax.”
Melissa had been a regular at this diner, often taking her family there for a meal. But on this particular visit, she was shocked to see that her daughter and her friends had been subjected to an additional fee, simply for being young customers. Melissa’s own order earlier that day had not included any such charge, leading her to believe this was a targeted policy aimed at teenage patrons.
When Melissa reached out to the diner for an explanation, a former server named Erika Carty chimed in on the restaurant’s Facebook page. Carty claimed that teenage customers can be “frustrating” to deal with, often taking up multiple tables, ordering inexpensive items, and leaving little to no tip. In her view, the “teen tax” was the diner’s way of recouping the costs associated with serving young customers.
Melissa’s story quickly went viral, sparking nationwide outrage. Parents and customers alike were appalled that a diner would explicitly target and charge teenagers extra, simply for being young. Many felt this was a blatant case of age-based discrimination, and an unethical business practice that should not be tolerated.
The backlash against the diner has been swift and severe. Melissa has vowed never to set foot in the establishment again, and many others have echoed her sentiments, threatening to boycott the restaurant. The negative publicity could have lasting consequences for the diner’s reputation and bottom line, as customers may be wary of visiting a business that engages in such controversial tactics.
The “teen tax” controversy has also raised broader questions about the restaurant industry’s approach to young customers. While servers may sometimes find teenage patrons challenging to manage, many believe that singling them out and imposing additional fees is not the right solution. This incident has sparked a larger conversation about how businesses can better accommodate and serve young customers in a fair and equitable manner.
The story of Melissa Desch and her daughter Bella’s experience at the Wayne, New Jersey diner serves as a cautionary tale for restaurants across the country. While businesses may face frustrations with certain customer demographics, resorting to discriminatory practices like the “teen tax” is an unacceptable and potentially damaging solution. As this controversy has demonstrated, such tactics can quickly backfire, leading to widespread public outcry and a significant blow to a restaurant’s reputation. Moving forward, it’s crucial for the industry to find more constructive ways to address any challenges posed by young customers, while still providing an enjoyable dining experience for all.
