Split plate charge. Good or bad?

Question

We manage a restaurant and we have a problem with a lot of people ordering one item and splitting it between them. Would you have a problem paying a $2 split plate charge? If so, why?

Answer 1

I agree with shellcat. I too have seen restaurants presenting a couple entrees for two guests.

But when it comes to splitting items I understand the restaurants charging extra for it, but most places will add a little extra food to the plates. In turn warranting a split charge.

If guests don't want to deal with the split charge, you as managers should have the servers let the guests know they can have extra plates to split the item themselves, but they would get a slightly larger portion if you have the kitchen split the item for a nominal fee.

Answer 2

SOCAL= you aren't splitting anything ,you are paying a lowly 5bucks for;listen up;a extra baked potato[that you possibly could drowned in free butter,sour cream,chives ,bacon bits,or what ever you discover is "free".you also get a salad bar for one  !!!which is probably all you can eat/stuff in.now for the things you don't consider,you are taking up 2 spots in the restaurant [heaven forbid you are sitting in a booth for 4],you will need service for your waters,you will use napkins are they free?if they split it in the kitchen; that slows the cooks down,i used to hate splitting if i was busy.you are using plate-ware and cutlery ,its an equation;number of customer=breakage/usage/theft,you would not believe how often we put out another box of these or another case of those!oh,i forgot we also have to clean up after you,and wash your plates,glasses,cutlery,more you wash something more things break.nobodies mentioned that at fine dinning its greatly about "the presentation",its like art,to ask a fine chef to butcher his his work is like asking a artist if i can cut your painting in half.

5 bucks is a steal!!!!!!

Answer 3

Not everybody can afford to pay for a high price meal.

Some restaurant have items for the light appetite and that way a person could order a smaller portion for less money.

I know of people that were charged extra for a plate did not leave a large tip for the waitress/waiter.

Answer 4

If it is a super fancy restaurant I would not think it's a big deal.  If it was actually split up on the plates and you weren't just getting a plate to do the splitting yourself it would be a plus.  If it's a pizza of burger joint I would be questionable about this though.

Answer 5

I think it sucks if you just get an exta empty plate and that's it.  Some people can't eat huge portions or are dieting and this way it is possible for them to eat out without the waste.

My wife and I frequent a steakhouse where they charge you $5 to split a plate, but the $5 includes a platter with an extra baked potato and the salad bar for the second person, so you are really only splitting the steak and vegetables.

Answer 6

Actually your $2 charge is cheap.

Answer 7

I would pay the splitting charge. Or, maybe you should serve smaller portions?

Answer 8

While many customer will gumble, they will pay it. BUT they will be unhappy about it and will take it out on the server by reducing their tip.  So you end up with a couple of extra bucks but at the cost of unhappy employees and customers.  Usually a BAD trade.

Answer 9

When I usually split something with someone, we usually both want a salad and we usually get an appetizer.  Make it so both people pay the side salad with the meal price, versus paying full price for one salad.  Making one person pay full price for one salad leads to one thing:  splitting one salad.  Appetizers that enable you to choose two or three items out of a list of five or so, appeals to people who split things because they are both picking part of it.  You can do the same with the entree or deserts, for instance, have a desert tray that lets them both pick a desert and costs a little less than two deserts.

Another idea I have seen restaurants use, is they make items made for two people and charge a little less than two entrees, but charge more than splitting a normal entree.  These entrees don't have the same large portion as a regular entree.  Though they entice the customer with all of the items the meal includes.  It usually is very similar to what I said before, two salads/soups, one main entree (which sometimes consists of two things, i.e. shrimp and steak), two sides, and dinner rolls.  Immediately people are intrigued cause they are getting a deal, more for their buck.   And you avoid the common lets split an entree ordeal.  

Personally, the split plate charge only makes me mad.  I pay it that one time, and I am less likely to return to that restaurant.  It tells me, the owner is only thinking of ways for them to make money anyway they can.  Instead of trying to accomodate to the customers, which is what any good business person is trying to accomplish.  Plain and simple, if you charge someone for an extra plate, they did not get more for there money.  They leave with a feeling that they got ripped off.  Usually when people feel ripped off, they NEVER return.