Popular Minneapolis Restaurant Group to Add Service Charge to Offset Health Insurance Costs

Bartmann has offered health insurance to her employees since 1993.

Kim Bartmann

Courtesy Anne Saxton

"Health insurance has been going up 20 percent to 30 percent a year for the last few years, and we can't continue to sustain those increases," Bartmann said. "Rather than just raising prices, we want to be transparent about our costs. We think our customers will appreciate knowing that our workers have good quality, affordable health insurance."

Bartmann's cache of eateries include Barbette, Bryant Lake Bowl, Pat's Tap, Red Stag Supperclub, Tiny Diner and The Bird.

The release says her employees that work 25 hours per week can currently choose from four tiers of health plans as well as dental coverage. Staff members pay 50 percent of the premium and the restaurant covers the balance.