Do restaurants still charge for drink refills?

Question

I was at a restaurant the other day, and noticed on the menu that soft drink refills were 50 cents. I don't know if the restaurant actually does that, because neither I nor my mom had a drink. And even if we had, neither of us drinks enough with a meal that we'd need a refill anyway. *chuckle*

My question, though, is I thought most restaurants quit charging for refills? But maybe I'm wrong. All I know is that whenever I go to a chain/franchise type place, like Denny's, Bakers Square, Chili's, Olive Garden, Applebee's, etc., they NEVER charge for soft drink refills.

The restaurant I was at was a "mom and pop" place, so maybe things are different in establishments like that. I dunno. It just seems kind of cheap, in my mind, to charge a diner extra to refill their glass with something that's such an immensely high-profit margin item anyway. (Years ago I used to work in food service, so I know! *grin*)

Just wondering....

Answer 1

That would depend on the restaurant and on the drink the diner ordered. Coffee, tea, lemonade, soft drinks may be at no charge but a speciality drink with fruit juices would. Sometimes coffee and tea are and soft drinks are not. Some restaurants allow only one free refill. It is at the discretion of the restaurant chain or individually owned restaurant. A smaller restaurant that doesn't get the huge discounts from suppliers that large quantity orders allow larger restaurants or franchise restaurants have to pay more for their supplies and their profit margin is lower and passed on to their customers.

Answer 2

Yes, it some restaurants they do charge for refills. I have been to restaurants "abroad" years ago and the people who complain that they could always tell Americans because they would expect ice water. Now that was a few years ago when everyone most restaurants would automatically bring you a glass. Someone figured it was not cost effective so gradually most restaurants have eliminated it in the US. I don't eat in the ritzy places so they still might still do but most places you have to ask for water.
IN the Philippines I stayed at the Peninsula in Makati, Manila and its a five star hotel and they did not give me a free refill with my breakfast. To get another cup you had to buy another cup and the waitress thought I was weird to expect it..so much for her tip but they probably charged me a service fee like in Japan (yeah right no tipping) but in 1985 the coffee was $15.00 at the Okura Hotel but you could get a cup of coffee and they did not expect a tip.
My wife and I have had experience with the food industry and know that the refill will eventually go the way of the Doo doo bird as its only a matter of time. Like the ice man and the milk man home delivery for free..nothing will last forever.

Answer 3

I agree, I think the "mom and pops places" are more prone to charging for refills still. The bigger chains all seem to give free refills. I have a friend whose in laws own a mexican restaurant and they always charge for refills. Heck, they charge ya for the tortilla chips and sauce, where most places bring it to your table when you sit down... they also just got a new pop machine and the distributor gave them the plastic cups with logos on them. Well, these cups are like twice the size of what they have been using, so they divided them up amongst family and continue to use the small ones. She said it cost to much to give people that much pop. Crazy, isn't it?

Answer 4

Some smaller "mom and pop" operations still charge for refills. Generally, their prices tend to be a bit lower and they can't afford to give a refill for free. If they have a lot of customers, thats a lot of drinks that they don't get paid for.
Yes, many of the larger restaurants quit charging for refills some time ago, (although some still do) but their pricing is set so they can afford to give away drinks.
Example: tonight my wife and son and I had dinner at a local restaurant. We had coffee and my son had root beer. He got a refill at no charge.
Bottom line, some do and some don't. its up to the individual restaurants.

Answer 5

Yeah some of the smaller hometown restaurants still charge for refills.

And you are correct the profit margin on soft drinks is tremendous. I know some owners of some franchises and they make a killing of soft drinks. But the lose alot on other menu items that they are forced to carry on thier menus

Answer 6

Not all restaurants charge for drink refills. I've been to restaurants like Mimi's Cafe, Buca Di Beppo, California Pizza Kitchen, and two of the one's you mention above that do not charge for refills. If a restaurant that im at charges for a refill, I just usually ask for water.

Answer 7

I don't know of any around where I live that charges for refills. But my husband and I travel a lot and have been to a couple that have charged for refills. They were in smaller towns, so maybe location plays a part too???

Answer 8

I work at a mom & pop place. There's no such thing as a refill. If you want a second soda/iced tea/seltzer - then pony up another $1.75. The only thing refilled for free is coffee/hot tea.
Sucks for the customer but jacks up the check a little for me (tip wise - every little bit helps)

Answer 9

Buca Di Beppo Drink Menu

Answer 10

Yeah, I haven't been charged for a drink refill in...wow...it's been a while. Sounds like mom and pop are trying to get a little extra dinero :) Maybe they're saving up so they can film a commercial and NOT be a hole in the wall.