Premier Doug Ford has requested meals supply firms like Uber Eats and DoorDash to cut back the minimize they take from eating places, threatening to take motion in the event that they don’t.
“Don’t be grasping, as a result of I can’t stand when persons are grasping,” Ford stated. “Don’t cost these eating places upwards of 30 p.c.”
With the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the rising second wave sending some areas of the province again into lockdown, many eating places now discover themselves relying once more on meals supply firms to maintain them afloat. Nonetheless, many customers don’t notice that these firms take a minimize of orders — generally, round 30 p.c — whereas additionally charging customers supply charges.
CTV News spoke with restaurant homeowners in Ottawa who had been positioned underneath new restrictions over the weekend, the place eating places can now solely supply takeout. Due to these restrictions, eating places now depend on meals supply providers. One proprietor, Dave Mangano, defined that when the restaurant is totally open, the 30 p.c payment is “only a value of doing enterprise,” however when it’s the one technique to do enterprise, the payment takes an enormous chunk of his income.
It’s price noting, nevertheless, that some supply firms have modified or adjusted how they cost charges due to the pandemic. Uber Eats, for instance, stopped charging delivery fees for local, independent businesses, however continued to cost them for chain eating places like McDonald’s. Whereas that helps clients, it does nothing for eating places who nonetheless need to pay 30 p.c.
The premier warned meals supply companies that if one thing doesn’t change, he’ll take a stand.
“These supply firms, they’re making a fortune,” stated Ford. “I all the time ask properly. Then I begin begging. After which I put down the hammer.”
Supply: CTV News
