Welcome exemption for restaurants & cafes
Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA), the peak National organisation representing the interests of restaurateurs, caterers and café owners, is pleased that the Government is finally recognising their needs.
After advocating on behalf of R&CA members to put an end to the industry having to produce separate menus for weekend and public holidays when they may apply a surcharge, the government has listened.
Under the component pricing laws, the final price of a product was required to be displayed, including all fees and charges.
But the targeted component pricing exemption for restaurants, caterers and cafes has come into force, allowing the industry to apply a surcharge on weekend and public holidays without having to provide separate menus.
Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO John Hart says, “While it’s a welcome move, it shouldn’t have taken almost three years to get an outcome, where the livelihoods of small business are involved.”
“The penalties are grotesque and have been putting unnecessary strain on restaurateurs, caterers and café owners, who are a valuable part of the Australian economy.
“This will certainly provide some relief for small business by reducing costs and complexity,” Mr Hart said.
- Restaurateurs, caterers and cafes will no longer have to:
- Print and distribute a different menu for weekends and public holidays
- Show two or more lists of prices on the same menu
- Undertake changes to the blackboard menu
These businesses must continue to adhere to the general obligations of the law such as misleading and deceptive conduct when displaying and marketing prices and charges.
Source: Restaurnat & Catering, 17 July 2013
