Bengaluru Restaurants Weigh Overstay Fees Amid Table-Hogging Concerns
In a significant shift for the city's vibrant dining scene, restaurants across Bengaluru are actively considering the implementation of charges for customers who overstay their welcome at tables. This move comes in direct response to growing complaints from restaurant staff and management about patrons, particularly agents and their clients, who occupy seating for extended periods while ordering minimal items such as coffee or tea.
The Core Issue: Minimal Orders and Maximum Occupancy
According to restaurant employees, a troubling pattern has emerged where individuals, often in professional settings, settle into tables for hours on end. These customers typically order just a single beverage, with instances reported of two people sharing one cup. This behavior not only results in low revenue per table but also creates a bottleneck in seating availability. As a consequence, other potential diners are frequently left waiting indefinitely for a spot or, worse, simply walk away to seek alternatives, leading to lost business for the establishments.
Impact on Restaurant Operations and Customer Experience
The prolonged occupancy by a small group of patrons has sparked widespread concern among restaurant owners. Key impacts include:
- Revenue Loss: Tables that could host multiple turns of customers generating higher sales are instead tied up with minimal spending.
- Customer Dissatisfaction: Diners who arrive hoping for a quick meal or social outing face frustrating delays, harming the overall dining experience.
- Operational Inefficiencies: Staff must manage longer wait times and potential conflicts, diverting attention from service quality.
This situation highlights a broader issue of dining etiquette in urban settings, where the balance between customer comfort and business viability is being tested.
Potential Solutions and Industry Response
In response, Bengaluru restaurants are mulling various strategies to address the overstay problem. The most discussed option is introducing a fee or time-based charge for tables occupied beyond a reasonable duration, similar to practices seen in some cafes globally. Other considerations include:
- Setting clear time limits for table usage during peak hours.
- Implementing minimum order requirements for extended stays.
- Enhancing seating layouts to accommodate both quick visits and longer engagements.
Industry experts suggest that such measures could help restaurants optimize turnover and improve service for all customers, though they caution about potential backlash from patrons accustomed to leisurely dining.
Broader Implications for Bengaluru's Food Culture
This development reflects evolving dynamics in Bengaluru's food and beverage sector, driven by the city's rapid growth and diverse clientele. As restaurants grapple with these challenges, the outcome could set a precedent for dining norms across India's metropolitan areas. Stakeholders are calling for a collaborative approach, involving customer feedback and pilot programs, to ensure any changes are fair and effective.
Reported by Barkha Kumari, with insights from local restaurant staff and industry analysts. Last updated on 12 February 2026.
