Starting July 1, 2025, Florida will have a new regulation for managing restaurant reservations. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 940, known as the “Restaurant Reservation Piracy Law.” After approval in both legislative chambers and formal presentation by local legislature officials, according to records from the Florida Senate.
- Who Does SB 940 Affect in Florida, and How Does It Regulate Reservation Platforms?
- What Are the Fines for Violating SB 940 on Restaurant Reservations?
- When Does SB 940 on Reservations Take Effect, and What Are the Next Steps?
- What Other Regulations Accompany SB 940 in Florida’s Legislative Package?
- Impact of SB 940 on Restaurants and Customers: Changes in the Reservation Experience
SB 940 stems from repeated complaints by the restaurant industry and consumers to limit the use of third-party platforms that promote, sell, or manage reservations on behalf of restaurants without a formal agreement. Official documentation details that, after committee review and floor debates, the law was signed by the governor and designated as Chapter No. 2025-55 in the state’s legal code.
Enforcement and oversight fall under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The legal text defines the scope of the law and associated penalties, aiming to support transparency in the restaurant sector and protect the formal foodservice industry.
Who Does SB 940 Affect in Florida, and How Does It Regulate Reservation Platforms?
SB 940 explicitly prohibits any third-party reservation platform from managing, listing, advertising, promoting, or facilitating reservations at a restaurant without a prior formal contract. The law defines a “third-party reservation platform” as any entity, site, or app that intermediates between customers and restaurants, except those able to prove an active contractual relationship.
All forms of technological and commercial intermediation, including portals, mobile apps, and websites, are subject to this regulation. The only exception applies to reservations managed directly by the establishments or those backed by written agreements or signed contracts.
These restrictions arise from prior experiences involving overselling, double bookings, and challenges for both business owners and customers. Legislative records indicate that restaurant associations participated in drafting and reviewing the bill to reflect the specific needs of the local market and restaurant-goers in the state.
What Are the Fines for Violating SB 940 on Restaurant Reservations?
The DBPR has the authority to impose fines of up to $1,000 for each violation of SB 940. There is no limit to the accumulation of penalties, meaning each proven case triggers an independent fine. In addition to fines, the agency may conduct investigations and, under certain circumstances, order the suspension of the offending reservation platform’s operations.
Restaurants that detect their information, name, or menu being used without permission can file documented complaints with the DBPR. The Department has enabled digital forms and specific channels for both affected establishments and customers to report irregular activities, ensuring ongoing oversight of compliance with the law.
The law’s text specifies that the $1,000 fine is not a cap per platform but applies to each individual violation. Therefore, a platform may be fined multiple times for repeat offenses or multiple violations across different establishments or reservations.
When Does SB 940 on Reservations Take Effect, and What Are the Next Steps?
SB 940 became law across Florida after being signed by Ron DeSantis and published as Chapter No. 2025-55. The effective date was officially set for July 1, 2025, as stated in the text published on the Florida Senate website.
From that date, all reservation platforms and restaurants must comply with the new rules. Consumers will only be able to make reservations through intermediaries that can demonstrate a valid contract with the dining establishments.
The changes require reservation systems, both in-person and digital, to verify formal agreements. The DBPR will evaluate and review complaints to determine the validity of contracts and the authenticity of agreements in case of reported conflicts.
What Other Regulations Accompany SB 940 in Florida’s Legislative Package?
SB 940 was not the only commercial regulation reform passed during Florida’s recent legislative session. According to legislative records, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a package of new laws aimed at strengthening consumer protection and transparency across various state sectors.
Among the most relevant measures accompanying SB 940 are reforms that increase penalties for identity theft in mobility services, regulations for public notaries, and a new law punishing “swatting”—the malicious and false reporting of emergencies. All these initiatives seek to establish additional safeguards for businesses and citizens, including reporting channels and oversight mechanisms applicable statewide.
The legislative process for this package was documented in special sessions and voting records from both chambers, reinforcing the state government’s focus on higher standards of transparency and control over the service sector, commerce, and digital management.
Impact of SB 940 on Restaurants and Customers: Changes in the Reservation Experience
The Florida Senate notes in its documents that SB 940 aims to improve the experience for both restaurant owners and consumers. The main change involves eliminating intermediaries without contracts, which seeks to prevent duplicate reservations, overselling, and coordination issues in table assignments.
Restaurants will be able to better manage their schedules and plan resources, while customers will have greater assurance of authenticity in their reservations. Access to complaint systems and the ability to file claims with the regulatory authority will, according to the legal text, bring greater order and predictability to the restaurant sector.
All details, technical requirements, and the form to report irregular conduct, along with the full text of the law, are available on the Florida Senate’s official website.
Image: Infobae
