Melbourne hospitality sector ‘fighting for life’ amid remote work shift
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert reported up to 30% revenue drops from pre-COVID levels. “Demand for restaurants and cafes has remained flat since 2023,” he said.
New evidence of Victoria’s hospitality industry bearing the brunt of cost-of-living crisis
Labor ‘not listening’ to small businesses around Australia
Australian Restaurant and Café Association CEO Wes Lambert says Labor is “not listening” to small businesses around Australia.
In Question Time yesterday, Labor went on the attack against the Coalition’s plan to provide small businesses with tax breaks for work-related entertainment and meals.
Tax-free tipping: Restaurant lobby wants tips treated like lottery winnings
Tips paid to restaurant staff should be tax-free and treated the same way as lotto winnings, the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association says, as diners pay growing sums to reward exceptional service.
Despite rising prices, Australians are tipping more
Australians tipped more and at a greater frequency in 2024 as metropolitan customers led a wave of increased generosity that defied overall spending restraint driven by cost-of-living pressures.
The average tip in Australia rose to $25.20 in 2024, according to data compiled from more than 75,000 Australian businesses using electronic payment system Zeller. This was a 25 per cent increase from 2023 ($20.20), with the state capitals leading the surge as regional customers pulled back on giving gratuities in 2024.
ARCA on Steve Price Sky News
Bigger, better, bolder: Australians reclaim our national day
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association boss Wes Lambert said people were “voting with their stomachs” to keep Australia Day on January 26.
“It certainly is encouraging that the togetherness we are feeling on this Australia Day is translating into bums on seats in restaurants and cafes,” he said.
‘National pride’: Interest in Aus Day celebrations up ‘tenfold’
Peak hospitality body, Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert agreed, saying people were “voting with their stomachs” to keep Australia Day on January 26.
“Restaurants around the country are reporting stronger interest than previous years – with an uptick in bookings for this Australia Day long weekend,” he said.
“It certainly is encouraging that the togetherness we are feeling on this Australia Day is translating into bums on seats in restaurants and cafes.”
INDUSTRY DINES OUT ON PETE’S FBT PLAN
Long lunches are back on the menu for small business, with hospitality peak bodies praising a Peter Dutton promise to introduce tax deductions of up to $20,000 for business-related meals and entertainment expenses.
“This is unprecedented pre-election policy, and we call upon the government to match it,” Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambert said. “It is the exact recipe that the hospitality industry needs to survive in 2025 – as we continue to see flat demand and high inflation and an uncertain way forward without these types of initiatives.”
Flat white coffee price likely to skyrocket, no matter where you live
Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association chief executive Wes Lambered warned the cost of a coffee “could reach double digits” in some capital cities due to the high price of beans.
“It isn’t unfathomable … in some CBD locations and airports,” he said.