This is one of the great debates of the moment, and it directly concerns the French portfolio : that of
tickets-restaurant. Regularly mentioned within the government, found unfair by restaurateurs but very appreciated by employees, it struggles to get everyone to agree. It must be said that when it was introduced in 2022, the measure was supposed to be exceptional. It was in fact designed to help “5.4 million employees holding meal vouchers” as recalled Capitalduring a period of forte inflation.
Today very popular among employees, who have not hesitated to make their voices heard recently, meal vouchers could know their last hours. At least as the French have come to know them in recent years. Indeed, to ease tensions between the mass retailers and restaurateursDominique Schelcher, CEO of U cooperatives, made an astonishing proposal to say the least on the set of BFMTV Tuesday November 26, 2024.
Soon the end of restaurant vouchers as we know them?
Facing Apolline de Malherbe, Dominique Schelcher first wanted to put things back in place on the subject. According to him, on the “14 billion” what the meal voucher market represents, “8.6 billion goes into catering,
2.9 billion goes to mass distribution“ et “2.4 or 2.5 billion in small businesses”. There is therefore no need “turnover battle”according to him, and it is better to adapt to
news “habits” of the French. Best solution according to him? Adapt to consumption patterns by renaming meal vouchers.
Due to teleworking and inflation, the vast majority of French people prefer make their own dishesand no longer go to the restaurant. “We must follow developments (…) and call it meal ticket“, indicates Dominique Schelcher, who believes that this is what it is “became”. The objective?
“Responding to the French in a French society that has evolved.” A question not of “battle of numbers” according to him, but rather “common sense”.
tickets-restaurant
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Big changes coming for restaurant vouchers?
On the side of restaurateurs, a redesign of their use is also thoughtful. Among the proposals mentioned, “increase the face value of the meal ticket, without changing the ceiling of 25 euros”. A way of “get closer to the cost of a meal in a restaurant and thus avoid the consumer having to add more out of pocket”as indicated by Capital.
Another idea suggested? “Create a double ceiling”. One for restaurateurs, and another
“weaker” for large areas. The objective:
“Allow consumers to shop in large food stores” without penalizing other traders either. Finally, the idea of using online sales platforms to do your shopping is completely ruled out.
Towards the total dematerialization of restaurant vouchers in 2026
By the time the idea is adopted, the use of meal vouchers will have changed again. At the request of restaurateurs, its operation will evolve. And they will all be, no longer in paper format, but
dematerialized. Currently, in fact, 40% of the 5 million holders still have notebooks. An additional burden to think about for restaurateurs.
“Companies no longer understand anything with both systems!”had also stated in the columns of
LiberationFranck Chaumes, president of the catering branch of the employers' organization Umih.
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“We have to move towards total dematerialization. It’s
simpler for the customer, the restaurateur, for everyone. This financially secures the system and reduces the environmental impact of restaurant vouchers.”he also declared. For her part, Olivia Grégoire, the Minister of Commerce, also raised the subject on BFMTV. “We will support employees so that they can use it”
as well as “companies that are still on paper”she explained. Many changes in perspective to which we will now have to adapt.
