Bill-splitting angst causes tension among diners

Eating out with your mates can cause massive headaches when it comes time to pay. This is how you can do it without overpaying.

Dining out has been given a mass overhaul in 2020 and has significantly changed the way customers book, order and pay.

But one awkward part of a night out remains – who pays for what.

Splitting the bill after an enjoyable night eating and drinking can be fraught and new research shows that nearly 40 per cent of us don’t like to go in a round with friends.

And 65 per cent feel comforted by knowing someone in our night out group is keeping an eye on the bill as it grows.

Anya Beniac, 25, says many restaurant bookings she makes have set menus so it’s not as complex to divvy up the costs.

Not awkward! Experts have revealed how to split the bill at restaurants without cringe-worthy conversations with your friends. Picture: Richard Dobson

“This means it’s easier when it comes to paying but it can be an awkward conversation to have,” she says.

The answer can be using a bill splitting app which allows groups to share the cost of a night out.

It uses a prepaid Visa card that can be embedded in a smartphone to enable groups to split the charges among multiple users.

Bill split app Groupee’s Jarred Baker says having talking to you fellow diners about the bill before your order can iron out any uncertainty with your fellow diners will ensure you are all on the same page when it comes to cost.

The app works by creating a group and inviting friends, setting the amount everyone agrees to pay, grouping the funds and then paying using contactless or a card.

Baker says it gives everyone the ability to pay their own share.

“Establish if there’s non-drinkers or if someone is paying for a partner,” he says.

The company researched attitudes to the awful realisation you have been left to foot the bill or more than your fair share.

Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive officer Wes Lambert said it’s important for diners to make bookings before they spend.

It quizzed 1000 Millennials aged 23 to 38 and found 65 per cent keep they like it when someone keeps a tab of the costs when sharing expenses. And 39 per cent don’t like to go in a shout.

Other popular bill splitting and contactless payment apps including Beem It, Splitwise, Splitr, me & u, and Mr Yum.

But be sure to check what charges apply when doing payments, some hit customers with a percentage-based fee each time a transaction is made.

Some eateries also use QR codes to be scanned using your smartphone, allowing the diner to order and pay using their own device.

Foodies have to be much more organised by planning ahead and even have to hand over their payment details before setting foot in a restaurant.

Here’s some of the other big changes in the dining industry.

Dining at Ezra restaurant in Potts Point are Sylvain Sommacal, 36, Anya Beniac, 25, and Kathy Ngo, 26. Picture: Richard Dobson

1. ALWAYS BOOK AHEAD

Eateries suffered months of hibernation in 2020 due to pandemic which now means customers are being urged to make restaurant and cafe bookings in advance.

Work out who you are dining with and make sure everyone is committed to a date and time, otherwise there could be a charge if your group does a no show.

Some restaurants even require customers to put down their credit card details when making a booking to ensure they stick to their plans.

Many businesses have capacity limits so it’s important to be organised to ensure you don’t miss out, says Restaurant and Catering Australia’s chief executive officer Wes Lambert says “Many restaurants require pre-bookings and they have fixed-price menus,” he says.

2. ENFORCING A MINIMUM SPEND

Lambert says it’s not uncommon to see restaurants require customers to now have to spend over a certain amount.

“Businesses are under many constraints which means many will have a minimum spend,” he said.

“Hospitality wages are going up 1.75 per cent on the first of February and JobKeeper is tapering off, so ultimately our industry hasn’t had a major price increase in a decade.”

He says the typical cost of a steak is about $28 and a cup of coffee $4, despite underlying cost rises and profit margins getting squeezed.

Make sure you are clear on any spending requirements before committing to a booking.

3. DON’T FORGET TO TIP

COVID-19 has resulted in more consumers shifting away from cash and instead tapping at the checkout or terminal to settle a bill.

Beniac says she “can’t remember the last time someone paid in cash”.

“I use Apple Pay and I don’t even take my card around with me,” she says.

Lambert says some eateries now only accept card-only payments but it’s still easy to tip the waiter.

“Every single POS (point of sale) has a tips screen on it so it’s still possible to tip,” he says.

“The average tip in Australia remains around 8 per cent across all food types, from your coffee shop to your restaurant.”

HOW TO SAVE WHILE DINING OUT

• Plan ahead and pre-book.

• Check the venue’s menu online to gauge prices.

• Some restaurants require a minimum spend.

• You may be required to hand over card details when booking.

• Charges may apply if you do a no show.

• If dining out with a group discuss bill splitting before ordering.

• Consider using bill-splitting apps.

• Having cash can be handy for those who prefer to pay their share in notes.

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