The internet has been left divided over a small detail on a Sydney restaurant’s menu that has gone viral on social media.
Posting on Reddit, an Aussie diner took a picture of the back of the Sydney eatery’s menu, attracting hundreds of comments split over whether it is right or wrong.
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“Is this common practice for restaurants to require a minimum spend?” they asked.
On the back of the menu, the restaurant had written a disclaimer note saying there is a minimum “dine in” spending requirement of $20 per person and a $30 “no show” fee for bookings with reduced numbers.
“This is calculated from the average spend per customer,” the restaurant said.
The post sparked a fierce debate over whether the minimum spending requirement and the “no-show” surcharge was fair or not.
Some people agreed with the restaurant’s move to charge for a minimum spend.
“It’s not common, but if the place is small and people are coming just for a chat, then it makes sense,” one person wrote.
“For small, local businesses, especially with limited seating, it can be very frustrating to have groups of people come in and just order a couple of items and use the place as a hang-out spot and spend hours there,” commented another.
“Honestly seems reasonable. You don’t want six people to show up and share a plate of hot chips,” said a third.
But others thought it was an unfair demand.
“Not common, and I hope it doesn’t become common. If they want to enforce it that’s fine, but I’m going to eat somewhere I won’t feel like a burden for wanting to sit and enjoy an $18 pasta dish,” wrote one person.
“My only real grip is if you can easily buy a meal and drink for under the minimum spend, essentially forcing you to buy something you don’t want,” said another.
Opinions in the comments section on the $30 “no-show” fee also were divided, with some arguing in favour of the surcharge.
“Not showing up is a massive loss for the company,” argued one person.
“This type of thing exists to prevent people who book a table of eight and literally do not turn up and don’t call in advance… now you’ve got an empty table on a Saturday night that could have gone to someone else. People like this should pay,” another said.
Others weren’t convinced the surcharge was justified for the restaurant.
“Charging for no-shows is unconscionable. People could make a booking in the best of faith and one or more members of their party could fall ill,” one person said.
“Seems these folks have problems associated with reservations. Just switch to no bookings,” another suggested.
7NEWS.com.au has reached out to the restaurant for comment.
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