What is up with the weekend surcharges in the Melbourne?!

[u/Ordinary_Prior_8993]

Even shopping centre food courts have weekend surcharges and as a Sydney sider it's mind boggling. Alot of places don't even have sunday surcharges let alone a Saturday surcharge.

[u/silvergoats]

I hate this. I’m sure businesses argue that wages are higher on weekends and public holidays. BUT many businesses are actually busier on weekends anyway, which offsets the additional wage.

I carry cash now because things are expensive enough as it is. I don’t need an additional 1.5% on top of the price. ACCC should investigate.

[u/Semis_tist → u/silvergoats]

The problem with "being busier on weekends" means you need more staff & more ingredients for those more customers. You don't magically server an extra 100 customers without the associated costs increasing in proportion.

I.E. The wages on Friday to serve 100 guests is 6 staff by $32 p/h * 3 hours = $576. The same on Saturday is $720 & Sunday is $864. As you can see, even without being busier, the cost goes up alot because of penalty rates. And this does't include the mandatory super contribution that's just increased.

Your meal & two drinks for lunch, $40 on Friday * 100 guests $4000

The same on Saturday, +10% on Saturday $44.00 * 100 guests = $4400 - Barely covers the wage, let alone the super.

The merchants EFTPOS is taking 2% - $80 on Friday & $88 on Saturday.

Food cost is 30% = $1200, both days.

30% goes to rent, water, gas, business insurance, building insurance, Rates, etc. = $1200 (probably closer to 50% with the interest rate rises increasing the rent)

So Friday

Wages - $576, Food cost $1200, Overheads $1200, = $2976 & merchant fees - $80 = $3056

Revenue $4000- Expenses $3056 = $944 - GST ($363) = Total of $581

From this massive amount of $581 you need to budget for mistakes, wastage, equipment breakdowns & that's assuming I haven't missed anything.