More and more restaurants are charging surcharges in the face of high energy costs. (Symbolic image) © Zoonar/Imago
A burger joint in Bavaria introduced a "Habeck flat rate" at the beginning of the year. More and more restaurants are charging surcharges in the face of high energy costs.
Hersbruck – Celebrity chef Steffen Henssler recently drew criticism because he charges an energy allowance in one of his restaurants. However, in view of rising energy costs, more and more restaurants are relying on this tactic.
Werner Henssler on energy allowance: "I have a cost increase of more than 100 percent"
The famous TV chef Steffen Henssler and his father have been demanding an energy allowance of 1.50 euros from their guests in their sushi restaurant "Henssler & Henssler" in Hamburg – and have been doing so since last October. But now social media posts of a receipt from the restaurant are causing the discussion to boil up again. On Facebook, apparently, the receipt of a customer is circulating, who had to shell out 7.50 euros energy allowance for a meal with five people.
Father Werner Henssler defended his energy allowance to the Bild newspaper: "We now pay more than twice as much in energy costs as we used to. I have a cost increase of more than 100 percent." If that doesn't suit you, you don't need to come anymore. There are also references to the energy flat rate on the menus and the entrance door. According to Werner Henssler, the "misguided energy policy of the Green federal government" is to blame for the introduction of the lump sum.
Energy prices have indeed risen rapidly over the past year – but mainly because Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned off Germany's gas supply in the wake of the Ukraine war. Germany is heavily dependent on Russian gas and now has to switch to much more expensive alternatives.
Restaurant in Hersbruck demands "Habeck surcharge" from guests
This hurts energy-intensive industries in particular – such as gastronomy. Last year, some restaurants in Bavaria and Lower Saxony introduced a surcharge because of energy costs. The burger restaurant "Rumpelkammer" in Hersbruck in Franconia has been particularly striking: Since the beginning of the year, the restaurant has been charging its guests – except children – an additional two euros as a "Habeck flat rate".
Owner Andreas Anser wanted to avoid having to raise prices, as he explained to the online portal infranken.de. He named the lump sum after Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) because "it came from this side, which is why energy costs are skyrocketing". On the bill of the guests, the "Habeck package" is as a "double boom discount," Anser continues.
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However, guests receive an espresso or house schnapps at the end of the evening in return – if they wish. He hasn't had any trouble because of the knockdown, explains the burger restaurant boss on infranken.de: "Our customers understand this through the bank, we have had many questions, but there were no complaints, everyone can understand."
Dehoga: "In principle, a lot of understanding" for energy lump sum
The managing director of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) in Lower Saxony, Renate Mitulla, expressed "basically a lot of understanding" for the energy flat rate to the NDR last year. Two-thirds of the companies in the association have existential fears and would have to see how they can cushion prices, Mitulla said.
However, Managing Director Rainer Balke also noted legal concerns. For example, it cannot be that guests are only confronted with the surcharge on the bill at the end of their visit. "This must be communicated and visible as soon as you enter the restaurant," Balke told the broadcaster.
