Minnesota Cafe Charges Fee to Offset Wage Increase

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Governor Mark Dayton says he's disappointed that some Minnesota restaurants are pushing costs of a minimum wage increase onto their customers.

Dayton said Thursday that he thinks the decision is tacky. But he says restaurants have the right to do so, and now it's up to customers to decide whether or not they will continue to support the business.

The 75-cent minimum wage increase went into effect on August 1st. Businesses with annual sale of more than $500,000 must pay their employees at least $8 an hour. The law also created a young wage for workers under the age of 18.

Dayton didn't name any specific restaurants, but a cafe in Stillwater cafe has begun adding a 35-cent fee to each bill.