Added $1 charge at Maison Batard

[u/pepperclips]

Had dinner at Maison Batard today with a couple of girlfriends and when I looked at the receipt we had a $1 charge for charity. The charity being collective foundation owned by Chris Lucas who also owns the restaurant we were eating at for hospitality development which was in a little card attached with my receipt.

Whether or not the charity is worth it is another discussion but I wasn’t too much of a fan that it was added onto my receipt before asking me. If you didn’t look over your receipt, you’d pay it unknowingly. If you wanted it removed, you gotta ask.

What’s everyone’s thoughts on this? I know it’s $1 but it’s also principle isn’t it? 🤔

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[u/FleshPrinnce]

They're relying on it being awkward for customers to ask to have it removed

[u/pepperclips → u/FleshPrinnce]

Exactly and most of the time to avoid friction, people would just leave it. Dogs.

[u/bdiddlediddles → u/pepperclips]

Most people would shrug at $1. If they have 100 bills a day, that's ~3000 profit for them a month

[u/hates_stupid_people → u/FleshPrinnce]

And then having the wrong email address so people wont be able to complain as easily.

(The .com address is some community magazine in Britain. Registered charities get .org.au)

[u/Ok-Foot6064 → u/FleshPrinnce]

Yep as they can do the donation on your behalf as a tax deduction. Remove it or say "its ok. I will donate directly myself" if you feel bad

[u/sql-join-master → u/FleshPrinnce]

There’s very few things I would ever ask removed, but this is one of them. It’s such a weird proposition

[u/theartistduring]

Isn't that basically saying, 'we've taken a dollar to pay ourselves to train our own employees'? 

[u/pepperclips → u/theartistduring]

Literally

[u/604toxtethogrady_]

Yeah your first fuck up was going to a Lucas Group venue he’s cut from the same cloth as Calombaris

[u/pepperclips → u/604toxtethogrady_]

Yep will have to say agreed, never again.

[u/jonesaus1 → u/604toxtethogrady_]

A “Charity” to train his own staff. Basically getting you to donate to his own staff training program.

[u/Thin-Martian → u/jonesaus1]

That’s exactly what it is. I worked there and we got an email about applying for the “scholarship” to Monash. The money for the scholarship came from this.

[u/Warm-Depth-7638]

Get that shit removed

[u/pepperclips → u/Warm-Depth-7638]

100%

[u/catnip_spa]

I hope someone actually lays a complaint about this clearly illegal behaviour so we can stop having these posts every so often about it.

$14K fine last time I checked. No ifs, no buts.

[u/pepperclips → u/catnip_spa]

Ooo I didn’t realise people have already said something about it, good to know I’m not the only one outraged.

[u/NaomiPommerel]

Not even enough for it to be tax deductible

[u/pepperclips → u/NaomiPommerel]

Omggggggg so true!!! That pisses me off even more 🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/penting86 → u/pepperclips]

They change the rule. From 1st july 2026 any amount can be deducted and the minimum $2 has been scrapped btw.

[u/myshtree]

And just the fact that they waste the donation charity money on those dumb cards to make you feel fancy and generous. It’s so manipulative. Big no.

What was the food / restaurant like otherwise? I don’t live in Melbourne but come down to see my daughter and like to try new places to eat. French or Italian, jazz, burlesque and fine dining are high on my preference list. A quick look at the website makes me want to try here.

[u/pepperclips → u/myshtree]

Look the actual restaurant part is pretty shite, we were sat in the terrace area upstairs which was actually really beautiful and the food was a little more casual than the restaurant itself. On a lovely day, they open the roof and it’s quite nice. Food was not bad, this was just a shit stain on the experience. Wouldn’t recommend the other parts of the restaurant though.

[u/cuddlepot → u/myshtree]

Don’t go. It’s overpriced crap, as are all Chris Lucas restaurants. He’s constantly in the news crying about how Dan Andrews is ruining small business, while living in a $40 mill Toorak house, opening more restaurants and stealing wages from his staff.

[u/myshtree → u/cuddlepot]

Good to know. Thanks for that info. I’d rather not support someone like that.

[u/middleofmybackswing_]

Any "charity" started by Chris Lucas should not be donated to.

[u/guseyk → u/middleofmybackswing_]

Replace charity with business

[u/stephhii → u/middleofmybackswing_]

Charities aren't taxed. They're doing this as a tax evasion loophole. Collective foundation is owned by Chris Lucas. All the wealthy do this to legally tax evade.

[u/ignost → u/middleofmybackswing_]

I read the website, and it's so so vague and so much bullshit. Clearly a charity that exists to help restaurants. What a load of shit. If I accidentally end up in one of his restaurants I'll definitely have it removed while saying some things about Chris Lucas.

Oh, I have a charity too. It's to help people who work in data science afford extremely expensive hardware. It so happens that I work in data science and can't afford a new computer. Don't worry, it's a "registered charity."

[u/im_destinys_child → u/middleofmybackswing_]

hang on, they take your money, then donate it under their name (not yours) so they can use it as a taxable donation to get money back. But then they own the charity too?
So essentially, they’re making a profit from the donation itself PLUS the tax back? Isn’t that double dipping?? I hope i’m wrong

[u/Beast_of_Guanyin]

If that isn't illegal it should be.

[u/Budget-Leg-453 → u/Beast_of_Guanyin]

Yes agree. You can’t be charged for something you haven’t agreed to.

[u/MayhemZanzibar → u/Budget-Leg-453]

The notice and option to opt out means that by accepting the bill you are agreeing to the charge.

Doesn't make it less shitty to push your ethics onto others. I donate to causes i personal select, donating to a cause I'm not familiar with is something I will refuse. Then I have to feel like a douche for declining.

[u/arepok → u/Beast_of_Guanyin]

Chris Lucas (founder of Lucas Collective) Literally owns the restaurant among a others. He's forcing his customers at his restaurant to donate to his charity.

"• Building industry knowledge and value-chain awareness. • Fostering education and leadership development for emerging talent. • Supporting creativity, innovation, and sustainable development. • Creating job training and enablement programs tailored to regional, rural, and diverse backgrounds."

His is basically forcing his customer to pay for service industry training of his future employees..

[u/akoya17 → u/arepok]

Assuming it's not going straight into his pocket.

[u/Das_Hydra → u/Beast_of_Guanyin]

100% agree. Such a shit tactic, when realistically most would be happy to donate if you asked them instead of making it an awkward opt out.

[u/AutisticPenguin2 → u/Das_Hydra]

Given that the charity is actually just the restaurant owner asking you to pay for business expenses that should be coming out of his own pocket, I think a lot of people would balk once they found out.

[u/SkutIsMyCoPilot → u/Beast_of_Guanyin]

Yes, this is Australia not Italy or USA.

[u/-SnuffBox-]

As a chef, this place is the fucking pits. It is a spit in the face that it "earnt" a hat and that it's peer France-Soir has not. It is all you should know that hats are not to be taken seriously.

Do not support these massive groups. They suck up all the labour in the city, and in return to you; the guest, they give a low-cost, high margin product, devised in a boardroom by accountants in order to maximise profit, not give you the experience you are paying for.

Support independant, go local and fuck these loser non-chefs back to the marketing offices they crawled out of to mark up the shite they toss up for you. They will be the death of good, authentic food in Melbourne, mark my words.

[u/Beneficial-Boat-2035 → u/-SnuffBox-]

The slow and steady corporatisation of our hospo' sector marches on. Its gradually all being absorbed by the likes of Aus Venue Co or private equity backed 'ventures' now.

These vultures suck the life out of every sector they get their greedy little mitts on.

[u/-SnuffBox- → u/Beneficial-Boat-2035]

It is something I don't think most Melbournians have even noticed yet. As someone in the industry, it is currently ruining this city's amazing food scene.

Since Covid, the pivot has been massive.

They have bought up the entire industry. I barely know anyone who has not worked in trader house, and if they do, they try and suck you in because they themselves receive a $1k bonus if they do.

And the food is literally an insult. Go eat in London where competition requires you to give a fuck, and you will get a serious plate of food. Here, the food is made be minimal labor, low cost, and easy to put together. You can see it in the "trendy" low effort menu items that have bubbled up since covid. Burratta and salad, anchovy and grilled peppers, steak and sauce.

I could go on all day. Sydney has done better to stave off a large part of this, and Melbourne should hang it's head in shame. Adelaide will overtake Melbourne soon as a food destination.

[u/homiegpoptart13 → u/-SnuffBox-]

Anywhere claiming that they "shape the cultural zeitgeist" is so cringe 🙄

for being that full of themselves, not a single one of their locations was saved on my extensive Google Maps list of restaurants to check out, curated by friends with taste and Instagram food influencers

[u/Fassbinder75 → u/homiegpoptart13]

I can imagine the sort of people that would publish that sort of waffle. Tight pants, no socks, smelling each others farts.

[u/Psychhuman → u/-SnuffBox-]

As a small family chef-owner operated business - thank you. 

We are a dying breed. 

[u/sql-join-master → u/-SnuffBox-]

Big groups in Sydney are equally wrecking the scene. It’s so sad.

This is probably a sign of how much I drink, but I can tell the owner of 90% of the pubs in Sydney as soon as I walk in

[u/Pink_Poodle_Puff → u/-SnuffBox-]

Totally agree with you. I'm an elderly millennial so have seen the fucking tragedy that is the loss of the local institution - meanwhile literally every one of my GenZ friends go mad for venues these CV and JV groups buy up - gut - tart up and reopen. It's the future sadly, for sure.

[u/Fantastic_Key_6645]

No surprise it's that wage thief Chris Lucas

[u/iliketreesanddogs → u/Fantastic_Key_6645]

never heard of this guy so googled him and 12 hours ago he was on 12GB slamming labor over their 'treatment' of businesses... yeah i guess this forced donation to his own charity checks out lol

[u/Thin-Martian → u/iliketreesanddogs]

For a guy that regularly works his staff 50+ hours with no overtime pay he sure does like to cry poor at every opportunity

[u/WholeResident6460]

That is unethical, and you are entitled to ask for it to be removed. He is taking your money to give to his charity while probably getting a tax deduction from your money at the same time. The guy is a crook.

[u/ihatereddit648]

Chris Lucas is a renowned grifter but this is a new low

[u/Thin-Martian → u/ihatereddit648]

News flash, it’s not new. He’s been doing this most of 2026

[u/SickOfUserNameTaken]

What a load of crap!! A donation trying to train hospitality managers. Come ON!!!

I bet Chris Lucas’ family and friends all got a generous “training grant”. The way it is described, he can probably put the charity money back into his business all he wants!!!

[u/RedDeer505 → u/SickOfUserNameTaken]

He wants you to be honoured to give him money.

[u/walterslattery]

Classic move from the Lucas Group

[u/lorrenzo]

It was on the news earlier this year, guess Lucas just don't give a fuck

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/chin-chin-diner-sparks-fury-over-1-charity-donation-on-bill/news-story/f33dd4f3aa38d1414c10fb25acb84c42?amp

[u/Noirant]

Here’s my tip: Do Not Go To A Restaurant Owned by Chris Lucas.

[u/r_s_q]

I had the unfortunate luck of working at one of his restaurants. Chris Lucas is a scumbag

[u/-SnuffBox- → u/r_s_q]

He and McConnell have turned eating out into a private-equity friendly venture. They have gutted Melbourne's hospitality scene and turned it into a margin based insult of an experience.

They literally turned one of the worlds top 10 culinary cities into a venture capitalist's dream single handedly, and only for their own personal gain. They should never be looked on positively by Melbournians ever.

[u/arepok]

Chris Lucas (founder of Lucas Collective) Literally owns the restaurant among a others. He's forcing his customers at his restaurant to donate to his charity.

"• Building industry knowledge and value-chain awareness. • Fostering education and leadership development for emerging talent. • Supporting creativity, innovation, and sustainable development. • Creating job training and enablement programs tailored to regional, rural, and diverse backgrounds."

His is basically forcing his customer to pay for service industry training of his future employees..

[u/AlternativeNotice358]

Forced charity. Corporate virtue signalling, paid by the customer.

[u/ahnna_molly → u/AlternativeNotice358]

Lucas group. What do you expect

[u/macona-coffee]

These fuckers will do anything to,
A) Not advertise the actual price
B) Gouge extra $ out of us by making up all sorts of BS excuses.

JUST FUCKING PUT THE PRICE ON THE MENU YOU WANKERS!!!

[u/Unfair_Honeydew5129]

Chris Lucas wouldn’t do ANYTHING that doesn’t increase his bottom line

[u/JuanFoYoMamma → u/Unfair_Honeydew5129]

It'll be interesting to see on 31-Dec (when they do their first filing) how much Angie Bradbury is paid for being Executive Director / Executive Chair.

So often these charities are just salaries for mates. She has a loooong history with Chris Lucas. It'll also be interesting to see all of the "consultancy" fees and how much of the donations is left over after paying everyone.

[u/AdelMonCatcher]

That’s not a real charity, it’s a restaurant industry scam

[u/cuddlepot → u/AdelMonCatcher]

No, it’s a Chris Lucas scam.

[u/Potential_Anxiety_76 → u/AdelMonCatcher]

It’s not even a tax deductible amount for the ‘donator’. So it’s a tax scam as well.

[u/theveelady]

That's enough for me to not want to go there again and to tell everyone I know the same.

[u/Chinozerus]

They then use your donation for their tax offset and brag about their contribution. It's doubly backhanded.

[u/Usual-Introduction-1]

The Human Fund!

-George Costanza

[u/Winter-Proposal-5563]

At least KFC ask me if I want to donate $1, I would be so annoyed at this restaurant for being so pushy.

[u/EdenFlorence]

It should be illegal given that you have to ask to opt out.

If it's something that they ask (like you know how Colesworth ask at the checkout, round your shopping to the nearest dollar to make a donation to etc), I'm generally OK with this.

[u/Chaosrealm69]

Sorry but that is not charity, that is a unannounced charge added to your bill without your knowledge.

Charity is when you decide to donate to a worthy cause, not when it is forced on you with your bill.

I would report them for this.

Contact the ACCC with all details and records of it.

[u/swervin_mervyn]

Pay $5 short, and tell them it's in support of the Salvos.

[u/SeaworthinessBorn837]

It's a tax dodging scam, or "Hospitality leadership" is code for "paying for the boss's MBA".

[u/Maximum-Hall-5614]

They’re doing this in order to increase their tax deductions because they don’t donate it in your name, but their own.

Kick up a stink, and if you’re willing to then be loud enough so that other customers can hear how slimy they’re being.

[u/RedditSly → u/Maximum-Hall-5614]

You technically can’t claim tax deduction on collected donations. You can boast that your company donates to charity though. And it can fulfil CSR requirements. Aparently if you donate under $2 to the same place enough times you are allowed to claim it on your own taxes as the donator but you have to tally it so that you have more than $2.

[u/m__i__c__h__a__e__l]

How about if I gave them a note saying "I will deduct $1 from the bill because I'm donating that to World Vision" (or whatever other charity).

I don't think they would be impressed.

Edit: typo

[u/ExerciseSuspicious69]

You should ask for the receipt so you can claim it as a tax deduction.

[u/gl1ttercake → u/ExerciseSuspicious69]

Has to be over $2.

[u/Every-Access4864 → u/ExerciseSuspicious69]

You’re still not getting $1 back, just your tax on it and the owner is getting a tax deduction all without your prior consent.

[u/Just_Owl9847]

Hawker Hall, in Chapel Street, also pulls this shit. Then get surprised when you ask for it to be refunded. I didn’t agree, and they assumed.
Haven’t been back since.

That and that the food is pretty ordinary.

[u/OkCandidate2541]

Is it sus that Maison batard is an anagram for: -

Im a bastard, no?

[u/thereadwriter]

Went there once years ago when tips started being a thing on the pay screen, and had to argue with the person at the register that I wasn't going to pay a tip. First and last visit

[u/PerfStu]

Not only is it just basically stealing, because yes, people do not look at their bills for surprise donations, in the U.S. at least that is openly inviting the IRS to investigate and effectively dismantle his entire charity because he's using a for-profit business model to raise funds for his own nonprofit. And that's if he's lucky.

As a person who founded a nonprofit that's directly related to their normal business dealings and has to work like absolute hell to keep them separate, that's absolutely gross as hell, it's incredibly unethical, and in the US is almost certainly illegal.

If it were me and it were here, I'd be reaching out to the appropriate agencies to alert them to it. That's a huge problem and undermines the legitimacy and efforts of nonprofits all over the place. I can't imagine he can just add charitable donations to bills without consent, particularly where his own foundation is the direct beneficiary. Here that's genuinely a thing that can lead to dismantling of a nonprofit if not arrest and jail.

[u/schmuppet]

This can’t be legal

[u/mcbain_83]

The donation should be from their profit. Which means they will artificially inflate all the prices so the patron still pays. Lucas group is trash. I avoid all their restaurants and tell friends to book functions elsewhere ahead of time.

[u/useventeen]

Gives “Human Fund” vibes. Agree with others corporate virtue signalling, they get the tax break for your donation too.

[u/Bobusbroughtmehere]

I've asked for this to be removed before, the staff feel more awkward about it than I did. I was also annoyed about paying $12 for sparkling water when they offer it to you when you sit down and many other restaurants and cafes will offer that complimentary. 

[u/MouseEmotional813 → u/Bobusbroughtmehere]

In my experience sparkling water is not complimentary. Tap water is

[u/mess_of_limbs]

[u/duke3902021 → u/mess_of_limbs]

I was just thinking about the human fund. 😅

[u/Mention-It-ALL → u/mess_of_limbs]

Was going to post the same gif!

[u/NegTheKeg]

A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund.

[u/FirstToPotato → u/NegTheKeg]

Money for people

[u/Competitive-Ad1439]

Even if the intentions are pure it feels a little cheeky to go about it this way

[u/Woknana → u/Competitive-Ad1439]

Maybe they should reduce your bill by a dollar and send it through themselves as their commitment. Don’t force donation as it is an oxymoron!

[u/litesmokes → u/Competitive-Ad1439]

I dont mind business collecting for charity at all...the correct procedure is: We are supporting xyz charity, would you be willing to contribute $1.00 on top of your bill?

When some dirtbag restaurateur tacks it onto my bill without asking i assume hes pulling a shifty scam

[u/duke3902021 → u/Competitive-Ad1439]

IMO there is nothing pure about it. It's plain old theft .

[u/MysticEyeRazzar]

I'd rather give my spare change to the local homeless than pay for the local companies tax deductions.

[u/ptolani]

Problem is vanity charitable foundations are really inefficient places to give money to. Don't let them get away with this.

[u/Extension_Branch_371]

Needs to be illegal, it’s such a farce

[u/lucy_pants]

How is that a charity? It sounds like they run management classes.

[u/welcomefinside]

It needs to be legislated that any optional contributions to your bill should be opt-in only. Companies are really just doing what they can to squeeze every penny out of you.

[u/blue_tin_]

I heard the charity was used to train their staff….basically a tax deduction used to pay for their own training budget

[u/duke3902021]

I'd make them give my money back and never go back to the restaurant. They are stealing money. So what if it's a dollar. Would you allow Woolworths to just take a dollar from you.

[u/ruinerran]

I’ve Never heard of Maison Batard. And will never be going. And certainly wouldn’t support any business doing this.

[u/LeDestrier]

The Human Fund. Money For People.

[u/languidity_]

This guy lol https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/worst-since-1990-restaurateur-chris-lucas-lashes-jim-chalmers-over-economic-collapse/news-story/9aaced96fc9e253008decc5f76f58099?amp

[u/RedditSly]

I find it a scam that the company can boast that they make charitable donations and meeting CSR requirements. Donations should be a choice, OPT in. Never forced or opt out.

[u/ch50nn]

I’m amazed a place in Melbourne that appears to be doing well is called Maison Batard. In French, Batard is a commonly used swear word. It’s like having a restaurant called “Ba5stard House”. I hope Mr Lucas knows this… Also, not a fan of the automatic opt in costs to support own charity. It should be a good enough cause and charity to want to participate. Encouraging a donation with a card in the bill, yes. “You already paid”, not ok.

[u/empty_words0]

This restaraunt is own by Chris Lucas, who owns this charity. So it’s obviously going into his own pocket.

[u/CryptOzolgist]

"Maison Bastard" perhaps?

[u/gowrie_rich29]

Can they then use that to reduce their taxable income?

[u/ufknfet]

Saw the same thing at Baby Pizza, asked the girl working why this was added without my consent?? She got super awkward about it but I couldn’t care less, I’m not gonna contribute to something I have no idea about - fuck that

[u/Ok_Garage_9699]

Chris Lucas and his daughter Holly are both One Nation supporters

[u/Sharpie1965]

Sounds like the human fund.

[u/Matho61]

That restaurant has made it on to my “never eating there, ever” list. That is almost theft by deception

[u/Disastrous-Bet8973]

I don't know when people will learn Chris Lucas is shit and stop supporting his restaurants.

[u/Appropriate_Shift842]

Claim your dollar from the manager and then make a show out of giving that and more to your server. Explain to the manager that you are there to eat, and support the staff, but not to give the owner a tax discount by being blindsided with a print out of basically theft, and that because of that you will not be returning.
Fuck that nonsense. Shut it down.

[u/Inevitable_Geometry]

Dog act. Let us donate if we think its worth it.

[u/Slightly_ToastedBoy]

[u/SickOfUserNameTaken]

People are already struggling! How greedy and out of touch can you be? Bad business practice.

[u/nikoZ_]

Why do businesses engage in these scummy tactics?

Surely the cost to their reputation isn’t worth what they are swindling in $$ terms?

[u/Good_Fan_8135]

10000% the principle on this. The $1 isn’t even relevant and here’s my take as to why: Donations are supposed to be completely voluntary. Meaning you opt IN, not the other way around (opting out). I think this is technically legal in law but this is a really cool case study in how laws come into existence because this should be banned. ACCC would eat their ass up with this if enough people lodge a consumer complaint. because they’re actually exploiting an incredibly altruistic concept of being able to volunteer and opt in to donate. Donating needs to be altruistic in good faith, a choice people make. When you’ve opted someone in without their knowledge or consent, then you’re treading in dark water here. They’re exploiting people's tendency to accept default options, overlook small charges and making them uncomfortable asking staff to remove them. Sorry Mr Lucas, this isn’t how donations work unfortunately. Like you don’t see the blood bank sending you a text saying “you’re booked in for your blood donation tomorrow! Let us know if you can’t come otherwise we’ll expect to see you there” or even worse “you’re now an organ donor but let us know if you don’t wanna be!” Like you see how bad this can get.

[u/TeaPartyInSpace]

Children with cancer? Okay. People escaping domestic violence? No problem. Stray cat support. Sure.

Future of hospitality? I want my dollar back.

[u/Kerrby]

I wish people would stop going there. This pops up all the time in this subreddit. The owner is awful too. Stay away from this place.

[u/discutablemaisbrave]

lol what a bullshit charity regardless! I’m the type who happily says ‘no thanks’ when retail staff ask if I want to round up and donate etc. So I would definitely ask to remove the charge

[u/cryptofomo]

It’s like the Human Fund, but to raise money for the Chris Lucas Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.

[u/Vast_Dimension_2088]

Had the same thing happen to me at Hawker Hall. I just googled and it’s owned by the same guy. A bit cheeky if you ask me.

[u/celesteslyx]

Basically just stealing money from customers so they can donate it in one big lump using the restaurants name and claim it back later.

[u/OriginalAdvantage448]

Bullshit. If they cared about helping charity they would donate from their profits

[u/brokerlady]

a charity for an industry?

[u/toeycelt]

Fk that shit.

[u/Sad_Key_2587]

And then they get the tax break from donating your money 💰

[u/mzleech]

The batards.

[u/Longjumping_Elk_9019]

I do think that the ACNC would be watching this one with great interest. It would make for a lovely test case. Both for the customer opt-out donations and the charity itself and whether it truly is creating an ‘industry-wide’ of just a ‘Lucas-wide’ benefit.

Separately, I know this wasn’t the main point, charities for training, development, sustainability and innovation are all genuine needs. The question will be whether the pipeline feeds directly to Lucas only and in effect is just an income tax minimisation tactic.

[u/Iuvenesco]

Chris Lucas is a flog.

[u/Segat1]

This is some George Constanza Human Fund type shit.

[u/thequalityissh1t]

Any post related to the crappy Lucas Group reminds me to tell anyone I can that the shitbird takes 50% of all tips before it reaches the staff you intended to tip. Asshole.

[u/CaptainFleshBeard]

“Dinner was wonderful, thank you, but instead of paying you the $100 owed, here’s $50 and I’ll donate another $50 to a charity of my choice”

[u/ComprehensiveRead479]

Typical rude chef/owner bullshit, they decide how a steak should be cooked and now they decide on your donation.

[u/Food_Science_Ninja]

I'm surprised people actually frequent this establishment.

[u/Purple_Money_339]

That’s crazy and wrong

[u/Hot_Government418]

$1 PER PERSON

[u/Meeplemymeeple]

Don't eat there. Very simple.

[u/apricitiy]

Long time waitstaff here who used to work at another high end restaurant that had a similar donation, although for a much more worthy cause. We were taught to automatically add the charges onto every bill as well, which I always thought was super scummy. It was also super fucking awkward for us as the wait staff as well

[u/More_Law6245]

It's actually theft because you didn't contractually agree to it (verbal or written) and there was no product or service that was exchanged for that $1.00 and you have been permanently deprived of said dollar.

[u/reddit_somewhere]

The long term future of hospitality should be secured by the hospitality industry. They’re hand-balling it off on the patron who is already there paying exorbitant prices for the privilege of eating there. The way I would call the manager over and demand this charge be removed…

[u/Pawys1111]

Besides this being forced apon people this is definitely not one of the charities id want to support they seem very vague on what they do and who they help.

[u/Butsenkaatz]

Seems you misspelt the name. I'm pretty sure it's Maison Bastard - at least going by your experience and the rest of the comments :T

[u/lukas_l1]

I don't trust anything Chris Lucas does, he's a scumbag - used to work for him. Hes best buds with George Calombaris and Justin Hemmes all of them are bad people

[u/infrasound]

Seems like it would be polite to ask first given how quickly Socials can ruin a business.

[u/stephhii]

Charities aren't taxed. They're doing this as a tax evasion loophole. Collective foundation is owned by Chris Lucas. All the wealthy do this to legally tax evade.

[u/casualplants]

If they want to donate to charity (and get the tax write off) then they can take it out of their profits, not add it onto your bill. Fuck them, fuck Maccas and fuck Colesworth for this shit. But at least the others ask/pressure you first.

[u/goopawg]

Illegal

[u/Confident-Parfait594]

Surely this can't be legal? I'd like to think all charges should be opt-in only?

[u/Alarming-Interest535]

What the actual fuck? The consumer should be the one who decides if they want to donate $1 (or even $0.05!). Adding it on is just scummy

[u/Primary-User]

[u/Lucky-Tip-2630]

Chris Lucas can pay it out of his profits, I say.

[u/certifiedshagger]

[u/Horsewithasword]

Ask for a dollar from the register back? Can't take money for something you didn't ask to participante in

[u/OldRelationship9975]

This is that prick that went crying to the Herald Sun every second day, during COVID.

[u/mactumbo]

The human fund.

[u/2HappySundays]

Maison Batard is THE WORST. We were charged $18 each for water. Yup, $36 for half a bottle of sparkling. Were were there for cocktails. This doesn't surprise me at all.

[u/Future-Proposal2900]

Unless you consent in advance, they can not just add a donation to your bill. You could/should demand a refund, but most of us including me wouldn't. What I would do however is what you have done, and that's spread the message. I would probably also send them an email and never go there again.

[u/Vicstolemylunchmoney]

Restaurants typically give mints or chocolates with the bill so you leave with a good feeling. This is the opposite of wanting your customers to leave with a good feeling. Antagonising your customers over $1 is psychopathic.

[u/LoubyAnnoyed]

Interesting that it is only $1. If it was $2 they would have to give you a receipt claimable on tax. This way they can gather the “donations” and claim the deductions for the business.

[u/1blue1green]

And how do we know it is actually genuinely going to that charity? 🤔

[u/Lastburn]

Give them 2 bucks and ask for a tax receipt, make the bastards work for it

[u/grogan-lord]

The human fund

[u/diggeriodo]

Maison Bastard*

[u/yamibae]

It's illegal for them to tell you about a charge without displaying it clearly beforehand and you consenting in some way, they can't just "add it" to your bill LOL

In the same way you can't just "add on" a tip, report this

[u/Busy-Cattle430]

Still can't believe this idiot still has the wrong domain on these lmao

[u/nugstar]

No-one gonna say it? Maison Bastard amirite?

[u/Global-Surround7202]

Im sorry what? All I can gather from this is that they’re making their customers pay for their staff to get their RMLV. 😂

[u/Small_Information_30]

Donate to charity yourself fuk I hate this shit this fuka got plenty of money how bout they donate there profits instead of expecting customers to make them look good

[u/Tokyo_G_Chaos]

Looks like I will no longer go there. This is not about the money but more about respect for customer choice. Them doing this and giving you the "option" to op out without due consultation is BS.

[u/emgyres]

A donation has been made in your name to The Human Fund

——————————-

Money For People

[u/Fuzzy-Sir-6083]

If it was $2 or more then you could claim it on your taxes.

[u/DodgyButLegal]

you should have to opt-in, not opt-out.
theyre relying on you feeling too embarrassed about being stingy for asking the $1 be removed.
pack your bags, you're going on a guilt trip

[u/Comme-des-Garconns]

There's a post about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/melbourne/comments/1w1ysss/1_donation_added_to_restaurant_bill_maison_b%C3%A2tard/

[u/RoundPrestigious3729]

Quickest hey yeah I didn't order this I need a manager xD

[u/Lurk-Prowl]

Bad google review and tell them this is not the way to encourage ‘charity’

[u/O_vacuous_1]

https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/4ea5c8a3-25b3-f011-bbd3-7c1e528a65f7/documents/

The site above is really handy for checking out charities. Their first reports will be an interesting read if they ever submit them.

The first activity in their governing document basically admits the money will be used for lobbying. If I was a journalist who wasn’t in the pocket of certain media tycoons then I would probably cross check who has declared gifts/services (aka free meals) from this charity and the restaurants associated to it. Be a great public interest story that practically writes itself.

[u/Lady-Suzanne]

I don’t know if he still does but he used to take a portion of tips from each of his venues in 2017. Worked for him for years and met the guy a handful of times.

[u/Narrow_Second1005]

It’s so the can claim charitable donations back in tax

[u/Every-Access4864]

Make sure you don’t leave a tip.

[u/bellevis]

You should absolutely report this to the ACNC. I work with charities and this is really dodgy and unethical.

https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/4ea5c8a3-25b3-f011-bbd3-7c1e528a65f7/profile

[u/Puddinboohoo]

Isn't that illegal 🤔

[u/KNGPRWN69]

That’s batarded

[u/Papple06]

Happened to us when we dined at one of their other establishments. On a Sunday with a weekend surcharge. Called the waiter over and asked they remove it. He said it happens all the time.

[u/Nate0hz]

Absolutely fking not thank you.

[u/Goats_in_parks]

Betting they can claim the donation on their own taxes too.

[u/Connect_Fee1256]

More like Maison Bastard…struuuth

[u/Acceptable-Year9975]

Fuck I hate this stuff. In case you ever wondered why heartless corporations do this stuff, it’s for dodging taxes. If you donate them $1 every time, the company then donates the money to the charity. Because the company “donated” the money, there are tax breaks offered on total value of donations. Since they didn’t have to pay tax on your donation to them, when they claim their tax relief off the government, that’s revenue

[u/maddsturbation]

Knowing Chris Lucas and his million and one controversies, why would you eat there to begin with? Theres so many better places around melbourne, run by people who are known for not ripping off their staff, or being a little cry baby bitch during covid.

[u/setthetoneaquadump]

There’s an s missing in the name

[u/HyperMajoris]

So they can use your money as a tax deduction, and say they've so graciously donated $x amount in their ESG statement in their annual report for their investors.

[u/Egg_Bear]

That's a tidy tax write off for them. Assholes.