As of: March 25, 2024, 3:19 p.m
By: Lukas Schierlinger
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After guests frequently let their reservations expire, a restaurant in Munich pulled the emergency brake.
The manager explains the “no-show fee”.
Munich – “We thought about our reaction to the behavior of some guests for a long time,” says Nadja Najib.
She is the managing director at Maria on Klenzestrasse (Isarvorstadt).
For several months now, the Levantine restaurant has been charging a so-called “no-show fee” from guests who don’t show up despite having a reservation.
Anyone missing without excuse must pay 35 euros.
“Fortunately, up until now we had to collect the fee first,” reports Najib.
Guests can reserve tables for Maria via an online booking system.
If you want to secure a place in the evening, you must deposit your credit card.
This has long been the practice at many restaurants and has become a habit for many visitors, explains Najib.
“That's why we're somewhat surprised by the sudden interest.” The Süddeutsche Zeitung
initially
reported on the “no-show fee” at Maria.
Local in Munich charges a fee if guests let reservations expire
The number of reservations has increased significantly, reports managing director Najib.
“While in the past many spontaneous visits to our restaurant were common in the evenings and especially during the day, the desire for a securely available table now predominates.”
At the same time, the proportion of guests who let their reservations expire has increased.
Without canceling.
The team often expected the restaurant to be fully booked in the evening, but then only two thirds of the tables were occupied.
This circumstance had a “noticeably negative impact on the result”.
“Can’t bear the risk alone”
The decision to charge a “no-show fee” in the future was “with a heavy heart,” explains Najib.
“Nevertheless, we had to ensure that the problem was solved reliably; after all, jobs depend on it.” The set 35 euros are based on the minimum turnover per person in an evening.
Other restaurateurs also charge cancellation fees:
Many innkeepers are familiar with the problem: restaurant tables remain empty because guests have let a reservation expire.
Several restaurateurs in Regensburg, Upper Palatinate, are now charging “no-show fees”.
In Nuremberg, a restaurant operator even charges 100 euros if visitors stay away without an excuse.
The Maria managing director compares the situation in her restaurant with that in the hotel or travel industry.
“If you can't make your booking here, you'll have to pay the costs.
We are happy to reserve tables in our restaurant, but as a restaurant we cannot alone bear the risk that something comes up for the guest.”
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Maria only makes use of the cancellation fee if the reserved table cannot be reassigned during the evening, says Najib.
“If new guests are found, the no show is over.”
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