A new survey from Money.com.au reveals growing frustration among Australian consumers with remote workers and students who occupy café tables for extended periods while making minimal purchases.
The nationally representative survey of more than 1,000 Australians found that 36% believe cafés should enforce a minimum spend for laptop users during peak times such as mornings, school holidays, and the Christmas season. Another 20% support minimum-spend requirements at all times, while 5% favour outright laptop bans.
The pushback comes as cafés struggle with razor-thin profit margins and rising operational costs. Wes Lambert, CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Café Association, says the issue directly impacts venue viability.
“Cafés operate on very thin margins, often around 3% or less, and rely on seating turnover to stay viable,” Lambert explains. “When a customer occupies a table for one or two hours while only purchasing a single coffee or small item, it directly reduces the number of customers a venue can serve.”
Lambert emphasises that the concern isn’t anti-technology but rather economic necessity. With rising wages, rent, energy, and ingredient costs, hospitality venues must maximise seating efficiency during busy service periods.
“Hospitality businesses are not designed to function as co-working spaces,” he notes. “Margins are simply too slim to absorb low-spend, long-stay seating during peak periods.”
Consumer expectations drive support
Sean Callery, a finance expert at Money.com.au, says consumers are increasingly sensitive to value when spending their discretionary income on café visits.
“If they’re forking out for coffee and brunch, they expect a certain level of comfort, not to have to squeeze in among the people using tables as a makeshift office or study space,” Callery says.
The sentiment is particularly strong during busy periods when families pay premium prices—potentially including surcharges—to secure seating.
Generational divide on café etiquette
Support for laptop restrictions varies by age group. Millennials are the strongest advocates, with 66% favoring minimum spend requirements or bans. Gen X and Baby Boomers follow at 60% each, while Gen Z shows the lowest support at 55%.
Meanwhile, 39% of Australians believe cafés should welcome all customers without conditions.
Finding the balance
Lambert suggests several solutions that balance business needs with customer preferences. Laptop users can choose off-peak times, make additional purchases during longer stays, or comply with signage indicating laptop-free periods.
“Most cafés welcome laptop users; they just need customers to understand the commercial balance that keeps the doors open,” he says. “If customers want to stay longer, venues appreciate purchasing additional items.”
The survey results highlight growing tensions around café culture in the post-pandemic era, as remote work continues to blur the lines between hospitality venues and workspaces.
