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As restaurants rely on takeout dining to sustain their businesses through the surging pandemic, Councilman Eric Costello joins Council President Nick. J. Mosby and Mayor Brandon M. Scott in providing legislative relief to bolster Baltimore employers bottom line by capping the fee third-party delivery services can charge.

Costello is the lead sponsor on a bill backed by the Council President and the Mayor to temporarily cut in half the fees that third-party delivery services can charge on restaurant takeout orders during the pandemic. The legislation will be introduced at the next Council meeting on Jan. 11.

Delivery services typically charge restaurants about 30% to bring takeout food orders to customers. The legislation would cap the fee for delivery services, marketing and administration at no more than 15% of the order cost.

"This cap on fees puts our restaurant community in a better position to be successful at a time when these small business owners really need our support," Councilman Costello said. "I am very grateful to Mayor Scott for backing this legislation and to Council President Mosby for his collaboration on finding a legislative solution for our small business community, specifically restaurants and their employees as well as gig workers in Baltimore."