Operators looking to make a little extra dough by charging customers for condiments might not be happy with the result. The majority of consumers—80%—said they would not be willing to pay a small added fee for condiments at restaurants, according to a new survey from The NPD Group.
Half of consumers said they would actually go to another restaurant if they were charged a fee for condiments.
For the 20% of consumers who said they would be willing to pay for condiments, more than half said they would be willing to pay 25 cents.
“Charging for condiments carries more risk than any revenue benefit a restaurant operator would derive from charging for condiments,” says Bonnie Riggs, NPD restaurant industry analyst. “Condiments are viewed as a standard component of the menu items being ordered, rather than an ‘add-on.’ While some restaurant visitors said they would pay for condiments, there are too many others who would be bothered by the fee and would go someplace else to eat.”