Restaurant Cancellation Fees Explained [Video]

In the universe of restaurant complaints there’s a whole galaxy dedicated to service fees. Recently, a Boston restaurant made waves on social media after one of their customers canceled at the last minute, citing health issues, and had to swallow a $125 per person cancellation fee. The restaurant is very small, with communal tables and one seating per night. Each person pays $125 and eats the same seven courses at the same time. The website is very clear that canceling less than 48 hours before the reservation will incur the full charge. Harsh words and screenshots of harsher DMs were shared, and the internet was abuzz about cancellation fees. “Why should anyone have to pay that much because they changed their plans?” people cried. On behalf of restaurants, allow me to explain.

Restaurant owners aren’t being nefarious jerks for charging a cancellation fee. Restaurants operate with a notoriously narrow profit margin and every dollar counts. The …