Max Brenner Now Charging Public Holiday Surcharge Every Weekend

Lgavbro on 19/12/2016 - 00:31

I ordered a drink from Max Brenner at Carindale, Brisbane today to find out they're now charging 10% extra every Saturday and Sunday as well as public holidays. This made my already ridiculously expensive milkshake cost something like $9.50. I rarely go to Max Brenner as it generally doesn't seem good value for money, but I thought it was nice every now and then on a special occasion, however now with this surcharge I think I might have to avoid it altogether.

This is the first I've seen a cafe do this. Is it becoming a thing? Do you think this is fair or is it deceptive to have a menu with prices that are only valid for 5 out of 7 days? They had the surcharge notice in small print at the bottom of one of the menu boards.

Food & Grocery

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Max Brenner
Max Brenner

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 19/12/2016 - 01:39

    Are you sure this isn't just for the Xmas period, as opposed to a permanent price increase for all weekends throughout the year?

  • amkssg on 19/12/2016 - 01:41
    +2

    Yes, I think 10% surcharge for weekends and public holidays is absurd.
    Similarly, paying workers time-and-a-half or double for weekends and public holidays is absurd.

    Just think about it for a second.

    • chumlee on 19/12/2016 - 06:56
      +5

      Some penalty rate for working weekends is justified. I don't work weekends and wouldn't want to as my kids are in school so my family time would be affected and I'm sure this happens to people who have families that work on weekends or shift work.

      Most cafés etc that I pass by on weekends are full due to people having time to sit around and have a long breakfast or lunch and these cafés are not as busy on weekdays so it's a catch 22 really.

      • Slippery Fish on 19/12/2016 - 08:44

        The fact that that was your arguement shows your understanding of hospitality industry…

    • amkssg on 19/12/2016 - 11:33
      +3

      BTW, if you didn't get it, it was pure sarcasm.

      As far as I am concerned, they have every right to charge 10% extra.
      Similarly, you have every right to NOT dine at their establishment, and eat somewhere else instead.

  • shortgum on 19/12/2016 - 03:42

    If this is true. I don't think other max brenner stores will ever follow. it is a dumb business decision if follow this. That store will eventually pay a price for less customers on weekends.

    but who know. I been there only once with 25% off entertainment voucher. yeh pretty overprice drinks n desserts

  • djones145 on 19/12/2016 - 06:34

    its getting more common

  • felipe1982 on 19/12/2016 - 08:41

    As long as they post the FULL price and don't just say "oh… and +10%" then I don't think they are breaking any laws.

    • holdenmg on 19/12/2016 - 08:45
      +3

      Why not have one Menu w/prices for Weekdays and one for Public Holidays/Weekends? Problem solv'd.

    • foxmulder on 19/12/2016 - 09:34

      As long as then they don't cut hours for employees to make up for that penalty rate.

  • holdenmg on 19/12/2016 - 08:44

    I had a look at the Max Brenner website:
    http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/locations/australia/
    and it does state a surcharge on Weekend and Public Holicays at Carindale location.

    Strangely enough, most other locations in Qld have this too, but not Robina, Qld. So, is Robina some Tax Haven (lol), a new store or is the Website just not updated?

    Last time I saw this it was Coffee Club and 10% on Australia Day.
    I was a bit surprised by it, but thought it was OK, I mean who wants to work Australia Day…

  • foxmulder on 19/12/2016 - 09:19

    Wait, isn't it employees are paid normal rate anyway on Saturday? I understand if it's Sunday or public holiday.

    • dasher86 on 19/12/2016 - 09:22

      sometimes it depends on the EBA.

      A long time ago we got paid "11 cents" extra per hour to forego penalty rates on public holidays etc.

    • charzy on 19/12/2016 - 09:25
      +1

      Depends on the industry. Some are 1.5x, some are normal rate.

    • foxmulder on 19/12/2016 - 09:27

      Didn't know that some industry can be paid penalty on Saturday. Good to know.

  • HardQuiz on 19/12/2016 - 09:31
    +5

    Boycott

  • cmdwedge on 19/12/2016 - 09:40

    I see your 10% weekend surcharge and raise you a $3.20 surcharge (nearly 40%!) to cut a chicken into quarters for me. Kingsley's Chicken, Canberra.

    • Daabido on 19/12/2016 - 11:05

      Oh, but the chips! Worth a visit to Canberra just for those, with gravy.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2016 - 09:44

    wages are just incredibly high in Australia.
    And yes, there is a 1.5x loading rate on Saturdays in some states.

    It's pretty funny that people working in hospitality or retail food can make $50-60 an hour on public holidays so as their public holiday isn't taken away- yet everyone working wants those days because the cash is so good.

    Good old Australia, where the government decides that above everything else, a business should provide employment for other Australians with overly generous wages, and making money/succeeding as a business is an afterthought.

    • tomsco on 19/12/2016 - 11:06

      It's pretty funny that people working in hospitality or retail food can make $50-60 an hour on public holidays so as their public holiday isn't taken away- yet everyone working wants those days because the cash is so good.

      Or that they probably put on the kids anyway, so the labour cost is probably not that substantial.

      Or that kids want to work those days as they can't work during the week during term.

      Or that increased traffic on the weekend would offset the higher wages.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2016 - 13:44

        Increased traffic has minimal impact when rates are 1.5 to 2.5x
        Most retail food and pub outlets lose money on public holidays and Sundays.
        That's why most will close if they have the choice. If a cafe is open on a sunday or public holiday tbe two main reasons are:
        1) their lease/landlord says they must be open.
        2) they afe paying tbeir employees a lower rate under the table.
        A cafe even with enormous turnover isnt making money with 6 or 7 staff on at $30-$50 and hour each.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2016 - 13:47

        Also remember that their other staff (if full or part time) are being paid whilst not being there on public holidays.
        If a part time employee's regular shift includes Mondays and a public holiday falls on a Monday, they get a full paid day off too.if they work that day they get tbeir normal salary PLUS the 2.5x rate for working that day.

  • holdenmg on 19/12/2016 - 09:51

    Probably worth noting that the Carindale Store hours are:

    Saturday: 9am-11pm
    Sunday: 9am - 10pm.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/12/2016 - 10:15
    +3

    Hungry Jack's charge an extra 10% on public holidays but don't pay their staff extra on those days.

  • voiletmay on 19/12/2016 - 11:34
    +2

    Just don't go to Max Brennar. Gee last time I went to the Carindale store, the experience was so awful (staff were terrible) that I would never set foot in another Max Brennar.

  • flipsahoy on 19/12/2016 - 15:57

    Shame as I love Max Brenner! I can understand Sundays and holidays but not on Saturdays :(

  • samcro on 19/12/2016 - 17:24
    +1

    Those whinging about penalty rates have probably never worked shift work, weekends, retail or hospitality.

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