It's circumstantial, if someone is adding bacon, cheese or avocado to a burger, the guest should expect to pay an up-charge... If they request a side of ketchup and there is a $1 charge on the bill, that should be explained... if it reads on the menu explanations shouldn't be needed, but if a restaurant is going to charge for trivial things like lemon or hot sauce, it should be qualified.
You should ALWAYS be transparent about what your customer is going to pay. If you are not and someone calls you on it, it makes you look like you are trying to get over on people. People don't like being had, especially by a company. Any gains you may think you are getting will quickly evaporate with a review that paints you in an unfavorable light for your failure to disclose. Hardly worth it.
The restaurant industry has been definitely felt the impact of Covid-19. With that said be transparent with your customers. One it is the right thing to do. Second social media is very powerful, and you don’t want your customers airing their grievances across the internet. Most customers understand the impact of the Covid-19 and the cost of doing business is changing.  Today many first time customers look up reviews online prior to visiting a restaurant.  If you are interested in selling your business, buyers will look at social media. Customers that have good experiences return and/or tell friends.
Since you are realtor, I assume you had a bad experience. Bummer.
If it's on the menu, it's still polite to mention it.
But a decent restaurant who understands people should have a simple system that is explainable on the menu, and easily implemented. Like : "Substitutions add $2" or something similar.
Problem most restaurants have: people who want to make changes to their order and expect it is free. The old "how about onion rings instead of fries", and "can you put bacon on the hamburger, too?" and expect it's free.Â
For the minimal upcharge for most items, it doesn't personally bother me if they don't go to great length to say 'that's 50 cents extra'.Â
It may not be listed as extra on the menu, but they should tell you when you order that it cost extra. If I buy a $10 burger and it costs $12 at checkout I will ask to speak to the manager! no hidden charges!
When I order a substitution or addition to a menu item, I already expect there to be a reasonable upcharge, the challenge is how to phrase it so it doesn't sound like a "Um...  but you know we'll have to bill you more for that right?" BUT -> if you say nothing, there's the customer that's going to go off on you for the cost add.
It's a fine line - A study found that when the "$" was removed from the menu people spent more. Perhaps just mention there will be a small additional charge from the kitchen, if people as how much then mention it, otherwise leave it alone.
Answers (1-10)
You should ALWAYS be transparent about what your customer is going to pay. If you are not and someone calls you on it, it makes you look like you are trying to get over on people. People don't like being had, especially by a company. Any gains you may think you are getting will quickly evaporate with a review that paints you in an unfavorable light for your failure to disclose. Hardly worth it.
The restaurant industry has been definitely felt the impact of Covid-19. With that said be transparent with your customers. One it is the right thing to do. Second social media is very powerful, and you don’t want your customers airing their grievances across the internet. Most customers understand the impact of the Covid-19 and the cost of doing business is changing.  Today many first time customers look up reviews online prior to visiting a restaurant.  If you are interested in selling your business, buyers will look at social media. Customers that have good experiences return and/or tell friends.
Since you are realtor, I assume you had a bad experience. Bummer.
If it's on the menu, it's still polite to mention it.
But a decent restaurant who understands people should have a simple system that is explainable on the menu, and easily implemented. Like : "Substitutions add $2" or something similar.
Problem most restaurants have: people who want to make changes to their order and expect it is free. The old "how about onion rings instead of fries", and "can you put bacon on the hamburger, too?" and expect it's free.Â
For the minimal upcharge for most items, it doesn't personally bother me if they don't go to great length to say 'that's 50 cents extra'.Â
Is there more to the story?
Yes. Transparency in pricing will create loyal customers. Don't nickle and dime customers. They can sense it.
Yes, transparency its important
It may not be listed as extra on the menu, but they should tell you when you order that it cost extra. If I buy a $10 burger and it costs $12 at checkout I will ask to speak to the manager! no hidden charges!
When I order a substitution or addition to a menu item, I already expect there to be a reasonable upcharge, the challenge is how to phrase it so it doesn't sound like a "Um...  but you know we'll have to bill you more for that right?" BUT -> if you say nothing, there's the customer that's going to go off on you for the cost add.
It's a fine line - A study found that when the "$" was removed from the menu people spent more. Perhaps just mention there will be a small additional charge from the kitchen, if people as how much then mention it, otherwise leave it alone.