Austrian pizzeria charges 11 euros for shared pizza plates

A pizzeria in Austria has sparked controversy by charging 11 euros for an additional plate intended for sharing a pizza. The establishment, La Croccante in Gaspoltshofen, Upper Austria, has placed a clear rule on its menu: "Our pizzas are charged per person. To ensure quality and enjoyment for everyone, please order your own pizza. If you wish to share a pizza, we charge an additional 11 euros."

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Our pizzas are charged per person. To ensure quality and enjoyment for everyone, please order your own pizza. If you wish to share a pizza, we charge an additional 11 euros.

Owner George Ghelcea defended the policy, explaining that the fee is not merely for an empty plate. "It's not just 11 euros for an empty plate. There are staff costs, cutlery, the use of a seat – it all costs money," he told Heute.at. Ghelcea expressed frustration with groups who occupy tables for extended periods, ordering only a single drink and consuming free tap water.

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It's not just 11 euros for an empty plate. There are staff costs, cutlery, the use of a seat – it all costs money.

He cited a particularly extreme case involving a group of 17 people, where only half ordered food, while the others requested empty plates for sharing, and one person asked only for a glass of water. "We want to be good hosts, but we cannot survive on that. We are a restaurant, not a park," Ghelcea stated.

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We want to be good hosts, but we cannot survive on that. We are a restaurant, not a park.

The owner also mentioned a recent investment of hundreds of thousands of euros to expand the restaurant to 43 seats, emphasizing the need to cover these costs. While acknowledging some customer dissatisfaction, Ghelcea believes such rules will become increasingly common in the hospitality industry, stating, "I think many places will soon ask for this. For us, it's just logical."

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I think many places will soon ask for this. For us, it's just logical.