Starting July 1, 2026, all restaurants in Florida are required to inform customers about any automatic fees before they order, states Gulf Coast News. The purpose of this law is to prevent restaurants from using hidden fees and misleading billing which can upset customers and damage their trust. If you are responsible for a restaurant, now is the time to get ready.
Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody supported this law to make things more transparent and get rid of what she calls “junk fees.” So, any extra fees should be explained to your customers upfront, not hidden in the final bill.
According to Real Radio 104.1 Orlando, you must list these fees on your menus, online ordering sites, and mobile apps as required by law. If you don’t display the extra charges before the customer orders, you are not following the rules.
You should also keep a record of all your receipts. Therefore, the prices of food and beverages should be listed apart from the costs of operations, service fees, tips, and sales tax. This is not only about filling out forms. It means your customers can see every detail of what they are paying for.
Even if you don’t have printed menus such as in a fast-casual place, a food truck, or a takeout business, the rules are still in effect. You should make sure that fee disclosures are easy to see on the menu boards or signs where customers order and pay. For this reason, the way you present your business matters more than ever.
Card Systems can help in this situation. We provide solutions that are ready for compliance, so you can easily follow the new rules. For example, our digital menu boards make it easy to update pricing and fee details whenever needed. As a result, there is less stress, fewer mistakes, and no need to reprint the menu at the last minute.
We also assist restaurants with expert advice and payment options that fit their needs. We can guide you through the necessary steps, assist with upgrading your systems, and ensure that your receipts, menus, and signs are all legal.
This law will not be repealed. You could be fined or taken to court if you do not prepare properly. You don’t have to struggle or spend a lot to become compliant.
Contact Card Systems now. We’ll help ensure your restaurant is prepared for July 1, 2026 and is ahead of the curve.
Compliance Checklist for Florida’s New Restaurant Fee Disclosure Law
- Review all menus (printed, digital, app-based) to identify where operations charges, service fees, or gratuities are added.
- Ensure that customers can see the fees before they order by including them on the menu, adding footnotes to prices, or using separate notices.
- Update customer receipts to separate:
- Food and beverage prices
- Operations charges
- Tips or gratuities
- Sales tax
- For fast-casual or takeout, make sure to display the fees involved in the ordering or payment process.
- Train staff to explain the fees in a clear and consistent manner to customers.
- Check your point-of-sale system to confirm it can produce itemized receipts and menu updates.
- Consider digital menu boards to make compliance easier and faster.
- Have Card Systems conduct a compliance review to ensure all updates are properly in place.
