SPRINGFIELD – Sky Zone of Springfield, NJ recently notified clients and patrons they would be charged $1 extra to alleviate the minimum wage increase set to begin on Jan 1, 2020.
UPDATE: As of 4:00PM on Jan 2, 2020, Sky Zone of Springfield has reverted their $1 surcharge via Facebook post.
NJ Governor Phillip Murphy signed legislation on February 4, 2019 which allowed for gradually raising the minimum wage up to $15 an hour for most workers by 2024. The increase would occur in $1 increments each year beginning in January.
Sky Zone franchise of the North Jersey region took a creative route to respond to the rise of minimum wage. On January 1, 2020, disgruntled posts began circulating throughout facebook of customers expressing their displacement of Sky Zone’s reasoning behind the price hike, not the actual hike itself.
Sky Zone, the destination for trampoline and rock climbing fun across the world opened their Springfield location in February of 2018. The Springfield location is part of a franchise including locations in Allendale, Mount Olive & Pine Brook, NJ.
On Sky Zone’s websites for Springfield, Allendale, Mount Olive & Pine Brook, a banner is posted at the bottom of the ticket ordering checkout process screen.
Minimum Wage Surcharge
Starting 1/1/20, please be please be advised that there will be a $1.00 Minimum Wage Surcharge added to each transaction of $10 or more to defray the costs of the recent minimum wage increase. Each of our guests deserve a WoW experience and we are committed to keeping and retaining stellar team members, and this fee will help us maximize this goal. It will appear as “ORDER FEE” in your cart.
Danielle, a 6-month customer of Sky Zone Springfield spoke with #EyesOnNJ News about her experience at Sky Zone being relatively positive for her child. When asked, What does this price increase and the reasoning given by management mean to you?, Danielle replied:
“The price increase by itself would mean nothing. But the reasoning given, as a reaction to the new minimum wage, shows that this establishment puts profit over both its customers and its employees. It guarantees that i’ll drive further and opt out of the chain as a whole.”
Request for Comment
#EyesOnNJ News attempted to reach out to Sky Zone of Springfield for a comment. Senior Producer, John Edmunds IV, spoke with a representative who agreed to put him in touch with the general manager of Sky Zone. After placed on a brief hold, John was advised the general manager was not in at the moment.
When John requested confirmation of the price increase, the Sky Zone rep advised she was an employee and didn’t know anything. John then inquired for the general manager’s availability to speak and was advised by the rep “I’m not sure, his schedule is different.” Lastly, John politely asked for the name of the general manager. After a brief moment of silence, the rep disconnected the call. (See & hear transcript in video above)
Calls placed by #EyesOnNJ to Sky Zone locations in South Jersey were answered politely and immediately confirming no $1 price increases at their respective locations.
After speaking with a Sky Zone rep at the Mount Olive, NJ location, #EyesOnNJ learned of the franchise ownership inclusive of the four North Jersey Sky Zone locations mentioned earlier. The rep advised the franchise owner would answer all questions & inquiries but indicated no date or method of communication.
According to Skyzone.com, Franchise options are available for prospective individuals who “must have at least $500,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $1.8 Million to qualify for a Sky Zone franchise. Please only request information if you meet these requirements.”
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