Florida § 509.214 - Notification of automatic operations charge and public food service establishment receipts.
Full text of Florida Florida Statutes § 509.214 — Notification of automatic operations charge and public food service establishment receipts., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 509.214. Notification of automatic operations charge and public food service establishment receipts.
(1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Gratuity” or “tip” means a sum presented by a customer as a gift or contribution in recognition of service performed, the payment and amount of which is at the discretion of the customer. (b) “Operations charge” means an automatic fee or charge, other than a government-imposed tax, that a customer is required to pay in addition to the cost of the food and beverage purchased. The term includes, but is not limited to, service charges, automatic gratuities, credit card surcharges, and delivery fees. (2) Every public food service establishment which charges an operations charge shall include a notice on the food menu, written contract, and website or mobile application where food and beverage orders are placed, as applicable, that includes the amount or percentage of the operations charge and the purpose of the operations charge. Such notice must appear in a font that is equal to or greater than the font used for menu item descriptions or the general provisions of the written contract. If the public food service establishment does not provide menus, table service, or written contracts for banquet, catering, or event services, the operations charge notice must appear in an obvious and clearly readable manner on the menu board or on an obvious and clearly readable sign by the register where the customer pays. (3) There must be a notice on the face of the bill provided to the customer that an operations charge is included. The notice must clearly state the percentage or amount of the operations charge. (4) Each copy of a receipt that a customer receives must contain separate lines for gratuity, an operations charge, and sales tax so that it is clear to the customer what is being charged. If the operations charge includes an automatic gratuity, it must be separately stated on the receipt. (5) This section does not create a private cause of action related to compliance with the requirements of this section. (6) This section does not apply to the purchase of a dining plan or package or fixed-price meal for which the price of the plan or package or meal is disclosed to the customer before purchase.
Source: official Florida text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida § 509.214
What does Florida Statutes § 509.214 cover?
Section 509.214 ("Notification of automatic operations charge and public food service establishment receipts.") is part of the Florida Statutes, the codified statutory law of Florida. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Florida § 509.214?
A common citation format is "Florida Statutes § 509.214" (Florida). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Florida law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Florida official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Florida attorney.
How does Florida § 509.214 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Florida can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Florida.