I see a guy playing politics through a surcharge which in my opinion will hurt the employees which causes me to take my business somewhere I do not consider the owner to be a complete @hole which if enough people do the same it will only hurt the owner of the 20 something chains which you call a few.
The money gets spent just elsewhere and the employment will follow the money. If you think this is anything other than a vindictive political statement on the owner’s part I suggest you are fooling yourself.
I also have no doubt some people will take their business there because of his stance but I have a feeling those customers are mostly comprised of the same people that think 10% or less is the going tip. Anyone who has ever worked in that industry knows the people I am talking about.
Edit to add
To be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if his employees pulled a Tyler Durden (reference: Fight Club) and instigated a class action lawsuit over the urine content of the soup because he such an @ hole.
edit on 15-11-2012 by Grimpachi because: 




