North Jersey Diner Owner Responds To 'Kid Tax' Accusation

WAYNE, NJ — One of the owners of the Wayne Hills Diner said the diner only charges groups of kids a mandatory gratuity and does not understand why people are making such a big deal out of the practice.

Peter Logos said the diner charges groups of kids who come into the diner — some in groups of 30 or more — mandatory tips because most of the time kids do not leave servers tips.

The practice came to light after a news story Tuesday. Melissa Desch stated that the diner charges her middle school-aged daughter and her friends a mandatory tip when they go there for milkshakes and snacks after school.

"If they come in with their parents, I don't make them pay a tip," Logos said. "Most of the kids don't know they have to tip."

Logos said the diner is upfront about the practice and states on its menus that "management has the right to charge an 18 percent gratuity" to checks. People have come down on both sides of the issue.

"To make a big issue out of it, I don't understand it," he said.

Logos noted that sometimes large groups of students from nearby Schuyler-Colfax Middle School and after Wayne Hills football games. He said the kids are not above being criticized for their behavior.

"Sometimes there's 70 or 80 kids," Logos said. "Sometimes the kids vandalize the place and the restrooms and we know who does it and we don't say anything."

Logos said the diner has a long history of helping Wayne schools and sports programs in its 38-year history.

"For a mother to complain about something like this, over a tip, it is nonsense," Logos said. "Nearly all of the kids come here because they like the service and they like the food."

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Patch file photo of the Wayne Hills Diner