Why customers are paying 20 per cent more for public holiday hot chips

Public holiday surcharges as high as 20 per cent have been added at some businesses. (ABC South West: Sam Bold)

Public holiday surcharges as high as 20 per cent are hitting the hip pocket of diners, exposing a lack of rules about how much businesses can charge.

Many cafes and restaurants added the long-held standard 10-15 per cent surcharge to menu prices across the recent Easter long weekend.