The ‘Invisible’ Strip Tax: How to Spot (and Avoid) Sneaky ‘CNF’ Fees on Your Dinner Bill

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You sit down, enjoy a great meal, maybe share a bottle of wine, and then the bill arrives. You glance at the total and something feels off. It’s a bit higher than you expected. You look closer and notice a tiny line item near the bottom, just above the tax: “CNF – 4.7%.” No explanation. No asterisk. Just a charge sitting quietly on your bill, hoping you won’t ask questions.

This is the world of restaurant surcharges in 2025. It is murky, inconsistently regulated, and increasingly common. From wellness fees to credit card surcharges to the surprisingly sneaky CNF charge, diners across America are regularly paying extra money they never knowingly agreed to. Let’s change that. Let’s dive in.

What Exactly Is a CNF Fee?

Let’s be real – most people have never heard of a CNF fee until they see it on a bill. CNF stands for “Concession and Franchise Fee,” a charge that has been described as essentially a resort fee for bars and restaurants. It is supposedly related to fees that casinos collect from restaurant concessions, framed as a surcharge for the restaurant’s prime location.

The fee, hidden behind the cryptic letters “CNF” on your final check, is usually three to five percent of your total bill, and that comes in addition to the tax. Making matters worse, it is added to your bill before the sales tax is calculated, meaning you are effectively paying tax on a tax.

Where Did This Fee Come From?