Went in today, ordered the 4 pc tenders and they charge me 23 cents plus tax for tap water in a cup. It is the first time in my life I have been charged for a cup of tap water. Whats up? I may not go back, there are good tenders out there at other places that give FREE water..

Really? You are going to quit going to a place b/c they don't give free tap water? I can give you 25-cents if you're hurting that much for money.

Unhappyinbcs

If I give you $1 will you shut up?

You can get a cup of water the next 4 times you go.

If they want to raise the price of water and lower the price of chicken..I'm all for it

You ordered food, so water should be free.

In my youth, I worked at Chick-Fil-A in a mall. "Mall chicks" (girls working somewhere else in the mall) would come in, without ordering any food, and ask for a cup of water and several lemon wedges, then grab some sugar or sweet-n-low packets, and stand there and make their own lemonade at the counter. The owner finally got mad and had us start charging a nickel per lemon wedge - unless they ordered something that cost money. But even he never charged for water

Look at it this way, the food poisoning is FREE.

Sonic charges for water too. I don't think it's that big of a deal. The cups/straws cost the restaurant money too.

If they used a cup with their log on it they aren't charging you for the water they are charging you for the cup. Logo cups don't come cheap. But if they used a regular cup with no logo or even styrophome then they should not charge for it. Styrophome cups cost like .02 a piece.

I believe they charged you for the cup...

They're charging for the cup and ice. Lots of places do that. If you run into a convience store and get a cup with ice they charge you.

I remember when tacobell tried to charge for water. I would tell them I wanted a free water, if they wouldn't give me one I would then say nevermind.....I'll go elsewhere. I'll be damned if I"m going to pay for a tiny cup of water when I've already paid for food.

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The cups/straws cost the restaurant money too.

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grand total $0.03 max, if you can't float paying customers that much, you are failing anyway...

I think there is law stating that restaurants cannot deny you free water.

It amazes me at what people will complain about.

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I think there is law stating that restaurants cannot deny you free water.

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That water is free, the cup is not. they could always go stick their head under a sink.

I always laugh when this conundrum is brought up.

On one hand, get over yourself. Its 20 cents or whatever. Bring a freaking bottle of water with you. Or find an empty one in the garbage and fill it from the street gutter.

On the other hand, its a terrible PR move for fast food joints to charge for it, especially with a food purchase, although I understand the motivating principle. (Convenience stores are excluded as people can and will just go in to get cups of ice.)

yea for mediocre chicken!

well just try getting a bottle of it for less than a $1

You have got to be kidding me. Give these people a break. The folks that run the Chicken Express' here are absolutely wonderful people trying to make an honest living. They employ a good number of people in BCS and its ridiculous to complain about this IMO. Everything costs money, including cups, straws, the employee that got paid to fill up your cup of water, utilities, rent, ever-increasing taxes, health insurance for employees, etc. etc. etc. Give these guys a break, please.

Could someone please point me in the direction of the .02 cups please. I feel I am getting overcharged for mine! I pay about .11 a cup (including lid and straw). Btw I only charge for the large 32oz. cup of water. That is because it cost me twice as much. I would tell you though, being a local resturant manager, that I see a day when lots of free things will be gone. It's sad and scary to see how the economy is going and on our end EVERYONE is raising our prices! Minimum wage, food items, the guy who delivers the towels, taxs, and even those cups and lids are going up! I do understand your fustration and as long as you buy food I will try my best to keep water free, but I also know of people who complain that my half price burger doesn't include the combo. I mean really I give you a break and you tell me I'm a cheater for not telling everyone that the combos not included? The sign for the last 20 years says "1/2 price burgers" why would you think I am talking about anything other than burgers? I know I am sorry for the rant I just hate being told I am a liar and a cheater. And even more so when Its on a special.

It amazes me how so many people feel entitled to so many things. It's freaking 25-cents for crying out loud. It's not like when you go to a movie theatre and they charge you the same amount for water as they do for a soda. Quit your beeching. I realize that the economy isn't in the best shape, but if you can't afford the extra 25-cents, you probably can't afford the rest of the meal and should be eating at home.


darkhorseags, what restaurant do you own? I will gladly take you up on your 1/2 price burger and won't complain that the combo isn't included.

Chicken Express has the best ice on the planet. I order a large ice, they charge me 24 cents, it makes me happy. Yay for ice pellets! That is all.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts especially Slocum, as I said in the OP it is the first time this has happened to me, it was never the money, just the principle.

darkhorse, bad road to go down, unless you are prepared for more stuff to come, from annonymous posters. Stay classy, and keep cashing the checks..

I learned in Economics that "there is no free lunch". Somebody pays for it in the end. The owners of Chicken Express are great people, and what may have happened is that so many people with 4 or 5 people in the car, are stopping in for free water ONLY, that they are attempting to curb it off.
CMac

I'll join the Chicken Express hating:
1. They fill your cup up with too much ice. Not a big deal if you are dining in since the refills are free, but sucks for drive through orders.

2. Charge for BBQ sauce. I've never had a fast food restaurant in the US besides Chicken Express charge me for a single condiment. Reminds me of Europe...

Other than that Chicken Express is really good, but too unhealthy/expensive to eat that often.

I always ask for half ice and they always oblige me without question.

Cmac thanks for the advice I know the Internet is a love hate relationship and none no that better than you. You've always impressed me how you can answer so many anonymous people and still keep your sanity. I know complaints come with the business and you only get better if you listen with an educated ear. So bring them on. Lol. But I run Carters burger in Bryan, my father-in-law owns it and the 1/2 price is only on Tuesday nights from 5- close and is only on just the burger, the bun, meat, spread, and veggies. Lol. And sorry if I wasn't classy I meant no harm.

darkhorse, You've been great, and I just always warn business owners about starting conversations that split hairs, because I have seen it's affects(both positive and negative). I have made a commitment to advocacy for small businesses, and keep an iphone on me for vigilance.

You have been classy, and will always be appreciated for it. I'm just a loud mean mother-****er, and make no apologies, but hopefully the food is good enough to make people smile.

To whomever is posting about free condiment envy, try to put into perspective how your own company handles "free items". Since alot of folks work at the university, isn't tuition and or fees going up? Maybe too much "free" stuff?
CMac

Guess I underestimated the cost of cups...

In other news, I laugh whenever I see a "happyinBCS" thread with a

I will pay for everybody's waters and condiments if they stop posting this stupid sh*t on this board.

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"I always ask for half ice and they always oblige me without question."

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It would be confusing if I started asking for a "large half and half with half."

Also, I'm really not getting the outrage here. I don't order water from anywhere (it's either tea or soda when I eat out), so help me understand: are you ordering water because it's healthier than tea or soda, or are you just a cheapskate not wanting to pay for a drink?

If it's because you are trying to be healthy, why should you care that they are charging for the cup? It is costing them something, and if enough people order water, they lose a significant amount of money. If it's because you're a cheapskate, why am I supposed to be outraged along with you?

GEHB, Order a 1/2 and 1/2 with LIGHT ice.