[kazinator]

People deserve to be compensated extra for an hour of not being able to lean against the counter, playing with their phone? It's traumatizing to have a lot of business and have to work?

The standard in business is that more volume brings about discounts. If you buy a larger order of parts from a supplier, your unit price is less than if you buy a small number.

The only way surcharges for groups make sense is that groups can sometimes tie up the place due to staying longer, but that's a stretch. Groups also have a way of finishing up and getting the hell out, not much slower than someone dining alone.

Every group lunch I remember, there have always been drinks, all round. Almost everyone has at least one glass of beer, save for the odd teetotalers and designated drivers.

I will typically not order a beer if dining alone, or just with family.

You have a big group, with everyone ordering food and most of them drinks (easy money) yet want an extra tax on top.