Overview

• Restaurant owner Salvatore Marrazzo in Esslingen near Stuttgart posts a rule that each table receives one collective bill to speed up service.
• He says guests may still pay individually if they inform staff before ordering so items can be assigned correctly at the register.
• Consumer advocates at the Verbraucherzentrale state a blanket prohibition is not lawful because each diner contracts separately and should pay for their own order.
• The guidance from consumer experts encourages groups to declare their payment preference when ordering to avoid disputes and simplify accounting.
• Marrazzo and regular patrons report broad acceptance of the practice when it is clearly announced on signage, menus, and online, with coverage elevating the discussion beyond the local area.