Is It Legal to Add a Credit Card Surcharge?
Short answer: in most of the United States, yes — with conditions, and the conditions are where operators get in trouble.
The Avocado
Regulations guidance for independent restaurants, food trucks, and culinary entrepreneurs.
Short answer: in most of the United States, yes — with conditions, and the conditions are where operators get in trouble.
Last updated August 12, 2026.
Good news for California restaurant owners: Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on October 9, 2025 (effective 2026) aimed at speeding up local permit approvals for restaurant buildouts and remodels. The goal is simple — reduce costly delays and simplify the maze of local regulations that slow down openings and renovations.
Starting November 1, 2025, Oklahoma food truck vendors will see a major change in how they operate across the state. The Food Truck Freedom Act now allows vendors to operate anywhere in Oklahoma with a single state food establishment license, while still following local rules.
Who must comply, who’s exempt, and why small operators should still pay attention.
As a restaurant or food truck owner, you're constantly thinking about the next move. How do you expand your menu, increase revenue, and build your brand without massive overhead? If you're in California, the answer might be closer than you think: your own home kitchen.
Good news, food truck owners! Texas just passed HB 2844 — signed June 20, 2025 — and it’s a game-changer for food trucks.