Restaurant Surcharge News Goes Viral

Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Georgia added a $50 surcharge to a family’s bill last week because their kids were “too loud.”

According to TODAY.com, “An eatery in rural Georgia charges extra for unruly kids — and the policy is sparking an online debate after it went viral on Reddit.” This warning appears on the restaurant’s menu: “Adult surcharge: For adults unable to parent $$$.”

The incident occurred when the Landmann family, along with four other families, visited the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant establishment earlier this month with 11 children between the ages of 3 and 8 in their party.

The group was reportedly well-behaved throughout their dining experience, with the children staying quiet and not causing any obvious disturbances. However, after the meal, the restaurant owner, Tim Richter, approached the table, armed with a menu indicating the fee for “loud” children.

Contrary to their expectations, Richter enforced the fee rather than exempting them for their kids’ well-behaved manners. According to Landmann, Richter justified the charge by asserting that the children had been “too loud” and complained about them “running around outside,” despite being under adult supervision.

Richter’s confrontational approach was alarmingly visible, with Landmann recounting how he told them they belonged at Burger King, not at his eatery. The standoff reportedly attracted the attention of the entire restaurant, with bystanders watching in disbelief.

The Landmann family expressed their disapproval by rating the establishment one-star on Google reviews. They were not the first to complain about such treatment, with prior reviews criticizing the restaurant’s policy toward families.

Yet, not everyone is in opposition to the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant’s “loud kids” fee policy. Some online commenters argue that it could be a solution to the issue of uncontrolled kids in restaurants, which they find annoying.

The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant has chosen not to comment on the incident, maintaining that their policy has been in place for years. Despite the controversy, the restaurant’s stance is clear — they wish to continue their operations without disturbances.