Highlighting Service Fees

Some locations are required to clearly display and highlight service fees to comply with local regulations. This article explains how to configure the Highlight Service Fee option in the Direct Ordering Admin Panel and ensure the correct display behavior.

Why Highlighting Service Fees Matters

Displaying service fees prominently helps customers understand exactly what charges apply before completing a purchase. It also supports compliance with state-specific regulations, such as California Senate Bill (SB) 1524, which requires restaurants to clearly and conspicuously disclose all mandatory fees, for example service charges, kitchen surcharges, or employee benefit fees.

SB 1524 applies to both in-person and digital ordering platforms and requires that:

• Fees are visible and easy to read.
• Formatting makes fees stand out from other text, for example bold, colored, or larger font.
• Fees are shown before checkout is completed, not only in the final summary.

Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines, legal action, or delays in launching online ordering for California-based restaurants. Highlighting service fees in the Direct Ordering Admin Panel supports compliance with such regulations and promotes a transparent guest experience.

What Fees Can Be Highlighted

Any mandatory or non-optional fee can be highlighted, including:

• Service fees
• Kitchen surcharges
• Bag fees
• Employee wellness or benefit fees
• Delivery surcharges, where applicable

This supports both compliance with the legislation and greater transparency for guests.

How to Highlight Service Fees

Follow the steps below to highlight service fees and make them visually distinct across the checkout, confirmation, and receipt pages:

This enables visual distinction for applicable fees on the checkout, confirmation, and email receipt pages.

Example Display

Before highlighting, the service fee appears in standard font and blends in with other charges.

After highlighting, the service fee appears bold, colored, or enlarged, clearly visible to guests on the checkout and confirmation pages.