A service charge is an additional fee added to the cost of a service, often seen in restaurants, hotels, or other service-oriented businesses. This charge is typically used to cover the cost of providing the service, such as paying staff or maintaining facilities. It can be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total bill. In many cases, a service charge is automatically included in the bill, especially for larger groups. Customers should check their receipts to understand if this fee has been applied, as it may affect the total amount they need to pay.