Denny’s ‘Obamacare’ Surcharge Pure Speculation

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - A Florida-based Denny's franchise owner says a health care reform surcharge is "not to be implemented or considered at this time".

John Metz owns more than 30 franchise restaurants including a Denny's in Byron. In an email sent to 41 NBC, representatives for Metz say that the company was looking into a possible five percent surcharge and cutting back on full-time employees to offset the Affordable Care Act charges. Metz public relation firm says that "despite recent media coverage...the five percent surcharge mentioned in various online outlets is pure speculation."

Representatives say the comments were not politically based and that the surcharge is just one thing to consider as a whole to cover the Affordable Care Act expenses.

"The five percent surcharge mention in various media outlets is pure speculation," Metz representative writes, "and only a potentional option should the law be re-written to include full-time equivalents."