A Better Alternative to the 20% Service Charge
By the One Bite Foodie Blog Staff
Denver’s food scene is going through some serious challenges right now. If you love dining out, supporting local businesses, or just grabbing a great meal with friends, you might have noticed some changes—higher prices, shorter hours, or even your favorite spots closing their doors for good.
So, what’s happening?
Mayor Mike Johnston has proposed a 20% service charge on restaurant bills to help cover the rising costs of running a food business. The idea is that this extra charge will support fair wages for all restaurant employees, not just tipped workers, while also generating tax revenue to be shared with restaurants. Sounds like a win-win, right?
Well… maybe not.
While the intention behind this proposal is good, the reality is more complicated. Would you still go out to eat as often if your bill jumped by 20%? Would restaurants actually see the benefits, or would customers start cutting back even more?
At One Bite Foodie, we believe there’s another way. Instead of relying on extra fees that may discourage customers, why not use local influencers to drive more repeat business into restaurants?
Let’s break this down and explore why influencers could be the key to saving Denver’s restaurant industry—and maybe your favorite local spot, too.
The 20% Service Charge: What You Need to Know
Here’s how the mayor’s plan works:
Restaurants would automatically add a 20% service charge to your bill before tax.
This charge would be used to support fair wages for all staff, helping businesses cover higher labor costs.
A portion of the new tax revenue would be shared back with restaurants to help them financially.
On paper, it makes sense. Restaurant owners are struggling, and the cost of running a business keeps rising. But let’s be real—will this make people want to eat out more or less?
With inflation already driving up food costs, a mandatory service charge could make dining out feel even more expensive. Some customers might tip less (or not at all), thinking the service charge already covers it. Others might cut back on dining out altogether. And if fewer people go out to eat, restaurants will still suffer.
The Bigger Problem: Denver’s Shrinking Restaurant Scene
The real issue isn’t just the service charge—it’s the fact that Denver is losing restaurants at an alarming rate.
Between July 2023 and February 2025, the number of active restaurant licenses in Denver dropped from 2,356 to 1,780. That’s a 24% decrease, meaning we’ve lost about 600 restaurants in under two years.
Let that sink in.
For every new restaurant opening, multiple others are shutting down. Labor costs, inflation, rent, and changing customer habits are all making it harder for restaurants to survive. If this trend continues, what will Denver’s food scene look like in a few years?
More importantly—what can we do about it?
The Power of Local Influencers: A Better Solution
At One Bite Foodie, we believe restaurants don’t need more taxes or service charges—they need more customers walking through their doors. And one of the best ways to do that? Local influencers.
Think about it. When you’re looking for a new place to eat, do you trust:
A random online ad?
A generic Google search?
Or a recommendation from someone you follow and trust?
Most people trust recommendations from people they relate to. That’s where local foodies, reviewers, and influencers come in.
A single post, story, or video from a trusted foodie can bring dozens—or even hundreds—of people to a restaurant. These aren’t just one-time visitors; they become regulars who spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers.
This is how you create a sustainable, thriving food industry. Not through service charges, but by building real connections between customers and businesses.
How One Bite Foodie Helps Restaurants Win
So, how do we make this happen?
1. Free Business Listings
Unlike TikTok, Instagram, or Yelp, when a restaurant joins One Bite Foodie, we automatically create a directory listing for them—for free. No hidden fees, no premium upgrades needed.
2. Press/Media Passes for Influencers
We believe that food reviewers and influencers ARE the media. That’s why every verified user on One Bite Foodie gets a Press/Media Pass, helping them get access to events, tastings, and behind-the-scenes content. More content = more exposure for local restaurants.
3. More Revenue, Less Waste
By working directly with local foodies, restaurants can educate customers about their menus, showcase limited-time dishes, and drive traffic on slower days. The result? More revenue, less food waste, and stronger community ties.
What Can We Do Next?
If Denver’s mayor—or any city leader—wants to work with us, we’re ready.
We can help develop education programs for restaurants to increase revenue, drive down waste, and create a more sustainable business model.
But even if you’re not in city leadership, you can make a difference right now:
Are you a restaurant owner? Sign up for free on One Bite Foodie and get your business listed where foodies are actually looking.
Are you a foodie or influencer? Get your Press/Media Pass and start driving traffic to your favorite spots.
Are you a customer? Support local restaurants by following food influencers, sharing their content, and dining at the places they recommend.
The bottom line?
Denver’s food scene doesn’t need more fees—it needs more customers. And that’s exactly what One Bite Foodie is here to create.
Join the Movement
Let’s keep Denver’s food scene thriving—one bite at a time.
➡️ Restaurants: Join One Bite Foodie for FREE
➡️ Foodies & Influencers: Get Your Press/Media Pass
留言