WATCH – Lady goes viral when she notices a ‘public improvement fee’ on her Chick-fil-A receipt in Colorado
Jan 14, 2026, 5:12 PM
I never check my receipts from restaurants, but this lady going viral right now in Colorado has me thinking maybe I should…
A Colorado woman took to TikTok after noticing a “public improvement fee” on her receipt from Chick-fil-A, and now that video has gone viral.
In the clip TikTok creator Jill (@barberb_wifey) films her Chick-fil-A receipt saying in part, “I don’t know if I’m late to the party, but what is a public improvement fee from Chick-fil-A?”
The fee is for $2.
So what is a public improvement fee? It is not a government tax and typically shows up at newer business developments and retail centers. The purpose of the fee, according to a Johnstown, Colorado, government site, is to raise money for infrastructure tied to the property itself, with the cost passed on to customers. That can include parking lots, roads, sidewalks, landscaping, and general upkeep of the area.
But isn’t that what tax is for too??
@barberb_wifey Is this new or have I just never noticed? Not complaining, just genuinely curious 👀 #chickfila #relatable #fastfood ♬ original sound – Jill

