SB 606 Is in Effect: Disclose Your Operations Charges

Every automatic fee your restaurant charges beyond the listed menu price and tax is now an "operations charge" under SB 606, which amends F.S. 509.214 and took effect this morning.

The statute defines the category broadly: auto-gratuities on large parties, service charges, credit card surcharges, delivery fees. If the customer doesn't choose to add it, assume it's covered.

Where and how to disclose

Menus, websites and apps where customers place orders, written contracts for banquets or catering, the face of the bill, and every receipt. Menu, website, and contract notices must state the amount or percentage and the purpose. Bills must state the amount or percentage. On menus, the font must match or exceed the size used for item descriptions. Restaurants without printed menus need a sign by the register or on the menu board.

Receipts carry a separate rule: gratuity, operations charges, and sales tax must each appear as their own line items. If your auto-gratuity is bundled into a single "service charge" line on the receipt, that's non-compliant. If your POS doesn't support separate line items, contact your vendor today.

"Purpose" is still undefined

The statute says disclose the purpose of each charge but doesn't define the word. On June 26, 2026, DBPR issued an industry advisory on operations charges, but it only restates the statute — no definition of "purpose," no model language, no FAQ. "18% automatic gratuity for parties of 6+" probably satisfies the requirement on its face. "Additional fee" almost certainly does not, because it says nothing about purpose. Disclose as specifically as you can. Our full briefing on SB 606 covers the open questions in detail.

The audit

Pull every menu, POS template, online ordering page, and receipt template. For each operations charge, confirm it appears with the amount and its purpose where the statute requires it. Check that auto-gratuity prints on its own receipt line, separate from other charges.

If you run banquets or catering, check your contract templates too. Operators with multiple locations should audit each site individually, since a corporate POS template may not reflect the fees charged at every location.

Dining plans, packages, and fixed-price meals where the total price is disclosed before purchase are exempt.

Enforcement runs through DBPR's existing Chapter 509 authority: fines up to $1,000 per offense under s. 509.261 and license action. There is no private cause of action.