Virginia Beach Restaurants and Advocacy Groups Petition to Repeal Meal Tax

Opponents argue the 6% tax increase is hurting businesses and driving customers away.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:26pm

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A photorealistic painting of a dimly lit restaurant exterior with a lone neon sign glowing in the evening shadows, conveying a sense of economic hardship and uncertainty in the local community.The meal tax debate in Virginia Beach has cast a pall over the city's vibrant dining scene, as some restaurant owners struggle to keep their doors open.Virginia Beach Today

A coalition of restaurant owners and advocacy groups in Virginia Beach, including the Virginia Beach Tea Party and Virginia Freedom Caucus, are working to gather support for a public referendum to repeal the city's recently implemented 6% meal tax. They argue the added tax is putting a strain on businesses already facing economic challenges and driving customers away from dining out.

Why it matters

The meal tax increase in Virginia Beach has become a contentious political issue, with some business owners and conservative groups claiming it is damaging the local restaurant industry and making the city less business-friendly. The referendum effort aims to give voters a direct say on the tax.

The details

Last year, the Virginia Beach City Council approved an additional 6% meal tax, bringing the total tax on prepared food to 12%. This increase is now drawing criticism from those in the restaurant industry, who say it is driving customers away. A coalition including the Virginia Beach Tea Party and Virginia Freedom Caucus is working to reverse the tax through a public referendum called the 'Repeal the Meal Tax Referendum'. They are gathering petition signatures from residents and businesses across the city to force a vote on the issue.

  • The Virginia Beach City Council approved the 6% meal tax increase last year.
  • The coalition began gathering petition signatures in early 2026 to force a referendum on repealing the tax.

The players

Debbie Lou Hague

The restaurant manager at Ocean Eddie's and president of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association.

Waverly Woods

The chair for the Virginia Beach Tea Party and the CEO of Virginia Freedom Caucus, both of which are leading the effort to repeal the meal tax.

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What they’re saying

“Every night that I work, someone says these taxes are really high here. And then I kind of go into my spiel.”

— Debbie Lou Hague, Restaurant Manager and Association President

“There are a lot of businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open in this economy, and this is a burden to them.”

— Waverly Woods, Tea Party Chair and Freedom Caucus CEO

What’s next

The coalition is continuing to gather petition signatures from residents and businesses across Virginia Beach. If they are able to collect enough signatures, the referendum to repeal the meal tax will be put on the ballot for voters to decide.

The takeaway

The battle over Virginia Beach's meal tax increase has become a flashpoint between the city's restaurant industry and some conservative advocacy groups. The referendum effort aims to give citizens a direct say on the tax, which opponents argue is hurting local businesses and making the city less attractive for diners.