Morrisons has made big change at all 397 cafes – and customers are furious about the extra cost
MORRISONS has come under fire for charging customers 10p for ketchup in its nearly 400 cafes.
Under a new rule, customers get two sachets per meal, but any extra ones cost 10p each.
The move has angered customers who said they needed more sauce but resented paying for it, especially in the face of the cost of living crisis.
One complained on Twitter: “Extremely disappointed that during this cost of living crisis you now charge 10p for your ketchup and other 10ml condiment sachets in your cafe.
“You only get two free per meal, but that’s not enough for me. This will be my last visit.”
Another vowed: “I normally get two sausage sandwiches a week in your cafe.
“Now that you will charge for sauce, I won’t. So for the sake of 10p you are going to lose out on two sales.”
A third customer who posted a picture of a group of three people eating a hot breakfast at Morrisons added: “Is it right we’re only entitled to 6 sachets of sauce with all this food under your new rules?? Staff making us pay for extra sauce??”
Charging for sauce is becoming more common within the restaurant industry as businesses face higher bills.
It’s understood that a factor in Morrisons’ decision was the rising price of Heinz products, which has been driven by increases in tomato and energy costs.
Some UK branches of McDonald’s charge 10p for sauces, although the decision is down to its franchisees, rather than a UK-wide policy.
Asda has a similar policy of giving two free sachets, and then 15p for each extra one, but in Sainsbury’s sauces are free.
They are also complimentary in Mitchell & Butler restaurants, which own brands including Harvester, Toby Carvery and Miller & Carter, as well as Nando’s.
Sarah Coles, of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Morrisons is likely to be trying to cut down on waste.
“We know from our experience with plastic bag charges that when something is free, we often take more than we need, and once the supermarkets introduce a charge, we cut our consumption dramatically.
“Morrisons may well be doing this to stop people picking up extra sauce ‘just in case’ and then scooping unused packets straight into the bin.
“The price of sauces is rising too and is up more than a third in a year, so the cost of this waste will be weighing even more heavily on the supermarket.
“Of course, it means those who like a fair dollop of sauce will be paying the price.”
The backlash against Morrisons comes after it was lauded for its “Ask for Henry” initiative, where customers can get a free hot jacket potato with beans and salad to help with the cost of living crisis.
The offer – which ends May 7 – is being run in partnership with Heinz.
A Morrisons spokesman said: “Customers will receive two free sachets per meal and any further sachets will cost 10p.
“All other condiments are still limitless (salt, pepper and vinegar).”
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