A new era in restaurants: Voluntary tipping system replaces mandatory cover charges

With the new regulation implemented in restaurants, businesses that are now prohibited from charging cover and service fees have introduced a voluntary tipping system. In this system, the customer can determine the tip rate themselves and make the payment via the POS terminal, thus preventing tax losses.

NEW SYSTEM: VOLUNTARY TIPPING

According to the new regulation, restaurants that have been banned from charging cover and service fees have implemented the "voluntary tipping" system, which is frequently seen abroad. In this system, the phrase "No service fee" appears on customers' receipts. However, observant customers notice percentages such as 8, 10, and 15 percent at the bottom of the bill. These rates offer the option to tip the restaurant. Customers reflect the rate they choose onto the POS terminal, thereby paying the tip in an official manner.

Restaurants that have switched to the voluntary tipping system both ensure legal security and offer their employees a platform where they will officially receive their tips. With tips received directly through the POS terminal rather than in cash as before, both tax losses are eliminated and unregistered transactions are prevented. This practice, which has spread in a short time, is welcomed by some customers, while others argue that the cover charge has returned under a different name.

Supporting customers back the practice, stating, "It is important that there is no obligation as there was with cover and service fees. Since it is optional, we give it if we want to, and we don't if we don't want to." Compared to the old mandatory cover charge practice, the voluntary tipping model is more widely accepted.

ONCE THE MOST IMPORTANT REVENUE ITEM

According to industry representatives, the cover charge was an important source of additional income for restaurants, especially in large cities and tourist areas. Cover charges, which ranged from 50 to 250 TL per person in cities like Istanbul, Bodrum, and Antalya, created an economy worth billions of liras annually. However, it had long been stated that the majority of cover charges did not reach the waiters and were included in the business turnover. Furthermore, price hikes that could not be reflected on the menu were also being compensated through cover charges.

NO MANDATORY COVER CHARGE WITH THE NEW REGULATION

With the new regulation, restaurants will only be held responsible for the cost of food and beverages actually ordered. No fee can be demanded for cover items brought to the table without consumer demand. This offers businesses the opportunity to receive voluntary tips without causing tax losses.

HEAVY FINES ARE COMING

With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, businesses such as eateries, cafes, restaurants, and patisseries are prohibited from charging extra fees under names such as service fee, cover charge, table fee, or similar. Businesses that do not comply with these rules may face fines of up to 1 million 439 thousand liras.

News Source: 12punto