An Australian diner has criticised hospitality group Lucas Collective after finding a $1 "charitable donation" had been automatically added to his bill without warning, only removable if he asked staff at the time of payment. The charge, which appeared on a receipt from Lucas Collective venue Maison Batard and was shared on Reddit, funds Collective Foundation, a charity established by the company's own founder, Chris Lucas, prompting accusations that the opt-out system unfairly shifts the choice of giving onto customers rather than the business itself.

Lucas Collective, which operates 15 venues including Maison Batard and Chin Chin, says the donation supports industry leadership programmes, professional development and research into career progression within Australia's hospitality sector. Both the company and Collective Foundation insist participation is voluntary and that diners can have the charge removed simply by telling their waitperson, but the customer said he received no prior notice and had it taken off "out of principle". The backlash online centred on the opt-out model itself, with critics arguing such donations should require active consent, and questioning the appropriateness of a company collecting money for a charity founded by its own owner.