Waffle House in downtown Atlanta charges extra for security - KMSP-TV

One Waffle House in downtown Atlanta is passing its security costs on to the customer. Seeking to tame large crowds and rowdy customers, the Waffle House in Five Points is charging a 20 percent surcharge to call its customers to cover the cost of an off-duty Atlanta police officer.

Even though there's a police precinct close to the restaurant, some of the businesses in the area say they've seen their share of crime.

Sunshine Payne, a waitress at the Waffle House, says she has seen a much calmer crowd since the surcharge went into effect.

"I work night shift, so clubs, drunk people fighting all kinds of stuff – it's kind of good they got police in there," Payne said.

However, Payne says since the customers are already paying more, they've been leaving less in the form of tips.

"Moneywise no, but safety-wise, yes," Payne said.

There are yellow and black signs regarding the "property management surcharge" posted all over the restaurant and on the menus.

Still, some people don't notice, while others said they didn't care.

"With the prices at Waffle House, 20 percent isn't going to kill you," said one customer.

But others said the charge is enough to send them somewhere else to eat.

"Probably won't go back, probably skip it," said David Vasconez.

Waffle House says that on occasion, they've had to hire security guards for other locations, but the restaurant in Five Points is the only one that has the 20 percent surcharge.