At OrderCounter, we’re always looking for ways to help our customers navigate industry shifts, and today, we’re excited to share details about a new federal initiative that is set to reshape restaurant operations nationwide.
Thanks to a final executive order from the Biden Administration before leaving office, we are among the first POS providers to integrate with the National Surge Pricing & Energy Efficiency Act (NSPEEA)—a program designed to help businesses reduce peak-time congestion, lower energy costs, and improve profitability through dynamic menu pricing and government-backed meal subsidies.
This initiative is a direct response to the challenges facing the national power grid, particularly in states like California, where rolling blackouts and EV charging demand have put extreme pressure on energy availability. By adjusting mealtimes and pricing to align with energy supply, this program helps restaurants cut costs while providing consumers with new ways to save.
How It Works: Dynamic Pricing & Government Meal Subsidies
Starting next month, all OrderCounter POS systems will include a new “Grid-Aware Pricing Model”, which uses real-time energy data and government incentives to automatically adjust menu pricing throughout the day.
New Federal Program Brings Dynamic Pricing to Restaurants
Key Benefits for Restaurants & Consumers:
✅ Government-Subsidized Meal Discounts During Off-Peak Hours
The federal government will now reimburse restaurants for offering discounts during low-demand hours. Customers who dine at 4:45 AM, 10:37 AM, 3:42 PM, or 9:53 PM will automatically receive up to 35% off their meals, allowing restaurants to increase traffic without losing revenue.
✅ Surge Pricing for Peak Dining Hours
During high-demand times (11 AM – 1 PM for lunch, 6 PM – 8 PM for dinner), a Grid Impact Fee will be applied to help stabilize the energy grid. This fee is based on:
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Local energy demand and usage trends
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The number of EVs actively charging within a 5-mile radius
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Real-time kitchen appliance usage, helping reduce peak-hour strain
✅ Tax Incentives for Restaurants That Shift Employee Schedules
To further ease demand on the grid, the government is introducing incentives for restaurants that move operations to overnight hours. Businesses that switch at least 30% of their workforce to non-peak shifts (e.g., 11 PM – 7 AM) will receive:
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Priority EV charging access for employees
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Federal reimbursement for extended business hours
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Up to $5,000 per location for implementing the program
Why Is This Happening?
The push for grid-friendly dining hours stems from the increasing energy demands brought on by:
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The widespread adoption of electric vehicles
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Growing reliance on AI data centers and cloud computing
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The rise in commercial kitchen energy consumption
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California’s frequent rolling blackouts during high-usage periods
By spreading out energy demand throughout the day, the government hopes to reduce the risk of blackouts, lower business energy costs, and incentivize more sustainable dining practices.
Next Steps for Restaurants
To comply with the National Surge Pricing & Energy Efficiency Act, restaurants will be required to:
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✅ Enable dynamic pricing in their POS system (automatically applied via OrderCounter updates)
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✅ Display “Energy-Efficient Pricing” notices on their digital menus
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✅ Offer at least one government-backed incentive for off-peak dining hours
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✅ Encourage customers to pre-schedule dining reservations to balance demand
What This Means for the Future of Dining
Experts predict that within the next 5–10 years, traditional meal times will disappear, and we will transition to an AI-optimized dining schedule, where restaurant hours will be determined by grid stability forecasts and historical consumer behavior models.
Under this vision, businesses will no longer have set menus or fixed hours—instead, food choices and pricing will be adjusted in real time based on factors like:
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Solar and wind energy production levels
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Traffic congestion data
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Weather conditions impacting refrigeration efficiency
Additional Perks for Energy-Conscious Diners
To further encourage compliance, the government is rolling out additional incentives, such as:
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🔥 “Green Energy Tacos” – 50% off if you order while pedaling a stationary bike that powers restaurant lighting.
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🚗 Surge Pricing Carpool Discount – If four or more people arrive in the same Tesla, they get priority seating. However, if everyone arrives separately in large SUVs or trucks, the surcharge doubles.
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🥗 AI-Optimized Menu Adjustments – High-energy foods (steak, fried chicken, deep-fried butter) will be temporarily replaced with kale salads and cold-pressed juice when grid demand is too high.
APRIL FOOLS! While government-mandated surge pricing and overnight restaurant shifts aren’t real (yet), we hope this gave you a laugh. OrderCounter remains committed to transparent pricing, fair restaurant operations, and keeping meal times in the hands of customers—not the government.
…But if the government does try to push something like this in the future, just remember—you heard it here first.
Happy April Fools’ Day from your friends at OrderCounter!