The Brussels municipality of Ixelles is joining Anderlecht and Auderghem in introducing a fast-food tax specifically targeting chains with self-service ordering kiosks. “This tax will protect small independent businesses,” said finance alderman Nathalie Gilson (MR). Chip shops, chicken and burger chains and other outlets that use ordering kiosks will have to pay €12,000 annually under the new tax legislation. The tax is expected to bring in more than €110,000 annually. The local council also aims to discourage hospitality entrepreneurs planning to launch such fast-food outlets
in Ixelles with a one-off tax of €10,000 upon opening. “We’re targeting large chains that cause nuisances in public spaces, we’re promoting healthy food, and we hope to make the local economy more attractive,” Gilson said. Auderghem and Anderlecht’s taxes are similar, and Auderghem’s tax is doubled for businesses near schools. Bemora, the association of restaurant chains under retail federation Comeos, has challenged the Auderghem tax by appealing to the Council of State. “People forget that large chains often operate through franchises,” it said, calling
the tax ‘unfair’. “It’s therefore also local operators, who employ local staff, who are affected by the tax. And the chains certainly have no intention of leaving the municipality.” Ixelles council said that self-service order kiosks, which are increasingly popping up in chains such as McDonald’s or Burger King, had a negative impact on local employment. At the same time, fast-food outlets in Brussels are becoming more common. The grand opening of the Desy Crousty takeaway restaurant in Molenbeek last week promised 200 free meals
and quickly devolved into chaos. Police were forced to intervene and cancel the event, one officer was injured and three people were arrested in the process. “The young people gathered on and around a busy street, creating an unsafe situation,” said a police spokesperson. “Some young people pelted our officers with stones.” The Molenbeek branch is the second Desy Crousty in Belgium, with the first restaurant located in Namur. Fast-food chains are increasingly active on social media. With spectacular promotional stunts, they often attract hundreds
of young people to the opening of their establishments.
Ixelles, fast-food tax, self-service ordering kiosks, Nathalie Gilson, MR, Anderlecht, Auderghem, Bemora, Comeos, Council of State, Desy Crousty, Molenbeek, McDonald’s, Burger King