Restaurant sparks debate by charging parents an additional fee of $50 when kids don't behave well

A riverfront restaurant in North Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains has been grabbing the limelight lately for its not-so-regular dining policy. Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is apparently not a fan of mischievous kids and for that reason, they charge parents a sizeable fee for being unable to maintain control over their children. This step by the eatery's management has sparked a debate on the internet, where people are discussing the appropriateness of the unique policy. A photo of the many was also posted on Reddit by u/LPineapplePizzaLover and it attracted a lot of attention, both positive and negative. It shows the restaurant adding a surcharge for "adults unable to parent." 

The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant's decision has generated a contentious discussion on social media and review sites. Reactions to the story, which were first reported by an ABC-affiliated local channel, have been conflicting. A policy that is outlined in the restaurant's menu lies at the core of this issue. It warns patrons about an "adult surcharge" imposed on diners "unable to parent" represented by three dollar signs, signifying an undisclosed amount. Tim Richter, the owner of the restaurant, claims that although this policy was put in place a few years ago during the COVID-19 outbreak, it was not frequently enforced until recently. The pivotal moment, according to Richter, was a visit from a family with nine children who were "running all over the restaurant." The restaurant's plan to charge extra for noisy kids though, begs a few problems. 

Some think it acts as a disincentive that motivates parents to instill good manners in their kids. Some contend that it goes too far and violates the rights of the clients, particularly when dealing with young children who could misbehave from time to time. There is disagreement among the public on this policy. TODAY reported that a parent, Lyndsey Landmann, thought it was a joke when she was charged $50 because her kids were being "too loud." She said: “I was like, 'They were quiet the whole time.' He got in our faces and told us that we belonged at Burger King and not at his restaurant. We asked to speak to the owner and he said he was the owner...I looked around the restaurant and everybody was frozen watching this show he was putting on. He was yelling."

Although it's normal for small children to throw tantrums from time to time, parents have a social duty to keep their children from upsetting other customers and making things difficult for restaurant employees. Because of this, many believe the restaurant's policy is perfect for a good dining experience. "People have a right to enjoy a meal in peace. If you can’t manage your children and they are running around screeching you are now affecting others. At some point the rest of us have enough of dealing with this s*it everywhere we go. I wish this was implemented everywhere. I’ve been to bars where they have parenting groups show up, kids run around the entire place. Good luck trying to have a conversation with Timmy throwing a tantrum next to you," commented u/digitalboom on Reddit.

A fierce discussion concerning how to strike a balance between customer experience, restaurant policies and parental responsibility has been sparked by the Toccoa Riverside Restaurant's plan to charge parents on behalf of their misbehaving children. Some contend that the extra is unfair and unreasonable, while others see it as a tool to promote better parenting and a more enjoyable dining experience.