“Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today issued a Supplemental Business Advisory on
“Diners are frequently confused by vaguely labeled fees that appear on their restaurant bills and should be able to make fully informed decisions about how to spend their hard-earned money before placing their orders,”“District law requires restaurants to disclose any fees in a timely, prominent, and accurate manner.
said Gavin Coleman, RAMW Chair, partner of Long Shot Hospitality, and owner of the The Dubliner Restaurant. ““The Attorney General’s examples are especially helpful,”“With these clearer guidelines, restaurant operators have guidance in the language we should use and can get back to focusing on what we love doing, welcoming and serving our guests.”
Under current law, District restaurants are not prohibited from charging service fees or other surcharges, but these fees may violate the CPPA if they are not timely, prominently, and clearly disclosed to diners before they place their orders.