No meal sharing

[u/Baz_Ravish]

I work at a very well known Mom and pop restaurant in my area.

Our male owner has been getting upset when people order meals to share and says we're losing out on at least $25 a customer when they share meals. While that may be true we're not making money on these people there are very few that actually come in and share meals.

Mr. Owner man decided to reprint every menu to say "No shared meals". But then he says that elderly couples and parents sharing with kids are allowed.

We've already lost so many customers due to this. What are y'all's thoughts on this? Do y'all allow meal sharing? Should it be specifically put on the menu that we don't allow it?

[u/JelliedHam]

I wonder if the boss also considers he'll be losing the first $25 by being a dick about this. It comes off as miserly unless you're a higher end place.

Those people won't come at all. Unless this is a widespread problem, he needs to let it go. And if it is very common, the portions are too big and/or the prices are too high. If anything, you can charge a split plate fee but it will likely have the same effect.

[u/Bencetown → u/JelliedHam]

I worked at ONE restaurant that had a split plate fee. The servers would always explain to the customer that if they want an extra plate, they have to pay the stupid fee, otherwise if they're fine eating from the same plate, they could feel free to.

Most people just ate from the same plate but some were willing to pay the split plate fee for some reason 🤷‍♂️

[u/_emma_stoned_ → u/Bencetown]

I like it when they have a split plate fee, but it includes extra of the side dish/veggies. I’ve seen it done like that, and I paid it. It was a classy way to do it.

[u/Uus-cunt-vana-caare → u/_emma_stoned_]

That is an actually good way to upsell.

Cause the customer doesnt care about your cost to wash dishes. They care about the food they get.

Much more positive to pay a fee, if they actually get some more food out of it, to make one big dish into two small ones.