Victorian restaurant adds 10 per cent 'peak season' dining surcharge to cover staff costs

Weekend and public holiday surcharges at restaurants and cafes are becoming more common in Australia, but have you heard of a "peak season" fee? One venue in Geelong, south-west of Melbourne, is charging patrons an extra 10 per cent between December 27 and January 26, in a move operators said would help cover the cost of rostering and housing additional staff over the busy holiday period. The surcharge prompted lively discussion when the menu from the Pavilion Geelong restaurant was posted to social media, with one patron suggesting the restaurant should instead "set your prices year round and absorb this". But while industry experts say peak season charges are not common in Australia, they weren't surprised to see one on the menu.

For further information, click here - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-04/geelong-restaurant-adds-10-per-cent-peak-season-surcharge/103274900