Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas tells KIRO 7 it was a mistake to impose a two percent minimum wage surcharge without first consulting his customers.
Douglas outlined the surcharge plan in a blog post earlier this week, saying he would pass it on to employees in wages or benefits, as the new Seattle law phasing in a $15 minimum wage took effect April 1.
Douglas' blog post also talked about the politics of the law, at one point describing the "irrationality of many of the provisions in the Mayor's plan."
By Friday, Douglas had deleted the blog post and reversed course, saying he would end the surcharge and instead raise menu prices.
In an interview with KIRO 7, Douglas acknowledged the surcharge line appeared "petty."
"My customers suggested that I should just get over my pity party and deal with it, and that's what we're doing," Douglas said.
Douglas said he customers responded that they prefer raising prices, which he intends to do next week.
The surcharge unleashed criticism on social media from supporters of the minimum wage increase.
KIRO
