Service charge back on Pune menus

The beginning of the financial year, April, saw the return of service charge, as restaurants and pubs across the city began charging their customers for services rendered. According to National Restaurant Association of India, service charge is a fee charged by the restaurant over and above the price of food and drink for the additional convenience of service rendered inside the restaurant and not for take outs or home deliveries. When quizzed about the decision, owner of Effingut Brewerkz at Koregaon Park, Manu Gulati said, “This year we have decided to reduce the price of food and drinks and add service charge so that there is transparency and the guests know what they are paying for.” The restaurant now charges an extra 7.5 per cent as service charge, along with Central Goods and Services Tax and State Goods and Services Tax. “The levy of service charge, if mentioned on the menu, forms part of the price of goods and services rendered and by placing an order you are contractually bound to pay service charge,” he added. Anirudha Deshpande, a foodie who endorses service charge, said, “There is no successful restaurant without happy customers and there are no happy customers without good service.