Londoners are known for their resilience and ability to endure the city’s high cost of living. However, the latest trend in restaurant fees has crossed the line for even the most seasoned city dwellers. A Shoreditch eatery has become the target of online criticism after customers discovered an additional ‘checking-out fee’ added to their bill.
Gloria, an Italian restaurant, has implemented a £2.99 charge for those who choose to pay their bill through the Sunday app. This fee comes on top of a 13.5% service charge, leaving customers with a hefty surplus. A recent bill shared on Reddit totaled £193.50, which increased to £222.64 with the extra charges, resulting in an additional £29.14.
While customers have the option to remove the fee, many may overlook the unexpected expense. They would also need to summon the waiter to update the bill and pay via card reader instead. The Sunday app was developed by Gloria’s founders, Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux, who also co-founded The Big Mamma group.
The bill’s image was posted to Reddit’s r/London subreddit, where the user questioned whether Gloria was the only restaurant to charge for the privilege of paying. Redditors expressed their outrage, with some suggesting low Google ratings as a way to address the issue. One user commented, “It actually borders on tacky. Would put it on their Google reviews, they might not be aware that it shows up like that, or that it just ruins the whole experience. They might see it and reconsider.”
Another individual pointed out that the service charge, combined with the Sunday fee, could result in excessive spending, especially if tips are added. The user explained, “From what I can tell from the reviews, the restaurant charges 13.5% on the billed amount. Sunday charges a £2.99 fee. And then there is a request on the app to give an additional tip, which will be a percentage of the sum of food, plus service charge, plus Sunday fee. If you get unwittingly caught out by that, choose 10%, your Sunday charge becomes £3.29 and you end up paying a percentage of the service charge which is already a percentage of the food. It’s a step too far.”
Customers have compared this practice to other industries, highlighting its unacceptability. One user stated, “I just can’t think of any other industries in which it would be acceptable. Go to a builder’s yard, see a plank for a tenner. Ask for it. They tell you as you’re paying that, on top of the advertised £10, they want £1.35 because the guy preparing the wood for sale did such a good job at cutting it. Then, when you go to hand over your £11.35, they want another £2.99 as the fee to let you pay them. Madness.”
The Sunday app was introduced during the pandemic as a way for restaurants and bars to implement QR code menus and self-checkout systems. It allows customers to pay through the app or split the bill. According to the app’s website, restaurants using Sunday experience a 40% increase in tips.
Gloria has been contacted for comment, and this article will be updated if a statement is provided.
