The Law in Plain English: Florida SB 606 (amending F.S. 509.214) requires restaurants to disclose every mandatory, non-tax fee on menus, websites, and receipts — stating the amount/percentage AND its purpose — before the customer orders.
What counts as a mandatory fee?
Any charge the customer cannot opt out of: service charges, automatic gratuities, credit card surcharges, delivery fees, kitchen/wellness fees, and split-plate fees.
What does NOT count?
Optional (voluntary) tips that the customer controls are not covered. Sales tax is also excluded. Only mandatory add-ons fall under SB 606.
The three places you must disclose
- Menu, website, and ordering app — fee amount/% + purpose, font size ≥ menu item descriptions
- Counter sign or menu board — required if you have no printed menu (quick-service)
- Receipt — separate line items: Gratuity/Tip · Operations Charge · Sales Tax
Enforcement: The Florida DBPR (Division of Hotels and Restaurants) handles enforcement. There is no private right of action — customers cannot sue you directly. But DBPR inspectors can and do issue fines during routine inspections.
Version A — Service Charge
Copy & paste — print on menus
A [X]% service charge is added to all checks. This charge is retained by the restaurant to support [staff wages / kitchen operations / employee benefits] and is not a gratuity. Additional voluntary gratuity is at your discretion.
Version B — Automatic Gratuity
Copy & paste — print on menus
An automatic gratuity of [X]% is added to parties of [X] or more. This is distributed in full to your service team. Additional gratuity is welcome but not required.
Version C — Credit Card Surcharge
Copy & paste — print on menus
A [X]% credit card processing fee is applied to all card transactions. This fee is waived for cash payments. We appreciate your understanding.
Version D — Delivery Fee
Copy & paste — for online menus / apps
A [$X / X%] delivery fee is charged on all delivery orders to cover delivery labor and transportation costs. This fee is retained by the restaurant and is not a gratuity.
Font size rule: The disclosure text must be printed in a font size at least as large as your regular menu item descriptions. Do not use fine print.
Receipt Template — Dine-In With Auto-Grat
[RESTAURANT NAME]
Table 12 · 4 guests
Subtotal$84.00
Operations Charge (3%)$2.52
Auto Gratuity (18%)$15.12
Sales Tax (7%)$5.88
Total$107.52
Additional Tip$______
Amount Charged$______
Receipt Template — Delivery With Delivery Fee
[RESTAURANT NAME]
Order #4821
Subtotal$38.50
Delivery Fee$4.99
CC Surcharge (3%)$1.30
Sales Tax (7%)$2.70
Total$47.49
Tip (optional)$______
Key Receipt Rules
- Operations charges must appear on a separate line — never bundled into subtotal
- Automatic gratuity must be labeled distinctly from voluntary tip lines
- Sales tax must be its own line — not combined with any fee
- Voluntary tip line must be labeled "Tip" — not "Gratuity" if it is optional
- Credit card surcharges count as operations charges under SB 606
POS systems: Show your POS provider this page. Most modern systems (Toast, Square, Clover, Lightspeed) can be configured to separate these line items in under 30 minutes.
Sign Version A — General (works for most restaurants)
Notice to Our Guests
The following mandatory charges are applied to all orders:
[X]% Service Charge — supports [staff wages / kitchen operations]
[X]% Credit Card Surcharge — applied to card payments only
These charges are separate from and in addition to applicable sales tax.
Voluntary gratuity is always appreciated and goes directly to your server.
As required by Florida Statute 509.214 (SB 606, effective July 1, 2026)
↑ Print at 4"×6" or larger · Laminate and mount at eye level near the register
Sign Version B — Auto-Gratuity Only
Automatic Gratuity Notice
An automatic gratuity of [X]% is added to parties of [X] or more.
This gratuity is distributed in full to your service team.
Additional gratuity is welcome but not required.
As required by Florida Statute 509.214 (SB 606, effective July 1, 2026)
↑ Print at 4"×6" or larger · Post on host stand, menus, and table tents
Why is there a service charge on my bill?
Our restaurant adds a [X]% service charge to all checks. It goes toward [staff wages / kitchen operations / employee benefits]. You can always leave an additional voluntary tip for your server — that goes entirely to them.
Is the service charge the same as a tip?
No. The service charge is a mandatory fee retained by the restaurant. Any separate tip line on your receipt is fully voluntary and goes directly to your server. Under Florida law we're required to label them separately.
Why is there a credit card surcharge?
Card processors charge us a fee on every transaction. Rather than raise menu prices, we pass that cost transparently as a [X]% surcharge on card payments. If you pay cash, the surcharge is waived.
Can I opt out of the automatic gratuity?
The automatic gratuity applies to parties of [X] or more and is mandatory. It is distributed in full to your service team. If you have a concern, please ask to speak with a manager.
Why does my receipt have so many separate lines?
Florida law now requires us to show each charge as its own line item — service charges, gratuity, and sales tax must all be listed separately. This is for your transparency and protection as a consumer.
I didn't see this fee on the menu — can it be removed?
All mandatory fees are disclosed on our menus and at the register, as required by Florida SB 606. If you believe there was an error, please speak with a manager and we will make it right.
Menus & Print Materials
- Add fee disclosure notice to all printed menus (font ≥ menu item text)
- Add fee disclosure to online menu / website ordering page
- Update third-party delivery app menus (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.)
- Add table tents or menu inserts if menus cannot be reprinted immediately
Receipts & POS
- Configure POS to show Operations Charge as a separate line item
- Configure POS to show Gratuity / Auto-Grat as a separate line item
- Confirm Sales Tax is its own line (most POS systems already do this)
- Print and review a test receipt — check all lines are visible
Signage
- Print and laminate register/counter sign (Section 3 of this kit)
- Post sign at every register or order point at eye level
- If you have outdoor ordering (drive-through, window), post sign there too
Staff
- Share Staff FAQ (Section 4) with all front-of-house team members
- Brief managers on how to handle guest complaints about fees
- Keep a copy of this kit on file for DBPR inspection reference
Need a free compliance check? Visit MyDigitalOrder.com to run an AI-powered audit of your specific fees and get a compliance score — takes 60 seconds.
This kit provides compliance guidance based on Florida SB 606 as signed into law. It does not constitute legal advice.
For complex situations, consult a Florida hospitality attorney. Law effective July 1, 2026.
MyDigitalOrder.com · Free SB 606 Compliance Checker