Leading restaurant group calls for cuts to ‘revitalise sector’

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s leading restaurateurs association has asked its members to offer 10 percent discounts on menu items in a bid to “revitalize” the restaurant sector.

The call for action follows a visit by the Association of All Professionals in the Catering and Tourism Sector (TÜRES) to the Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, during which they assessed current prices in the sector.

TÜRES CEO Ramazan Bingöl announced the discount initiative following a board meeting held after the visit.

“We call on TÜRES members and the sector to provide a 10 percent discount on all or part of the menus in order to… revitalize the sector,” he said.

Bingöl said the initiative would “break the stereotype of high prices” in the restaurant industry.

“The support of TÜRES members and our sector for this appeal will have a positive impact on citizens,” he added.

In April, social media users began boycotting restaurants and cafes to protest rising prices, prompting mixed reactions from consumers and business owners. While some Istanbul establishments saw a drop in customers, others experienced long lines of customers.

Social media activism has highlighted examples of inflated bills and comparisons of food prices in Istanbul and foreign cities, fueling public discontent. Restaurant and cafe owners attribute the price increases to rising rent and utility costs.

Media reports say many people have described the inflated prices at eateries as “pretextual and opportunistic”, going beyond the economic problems attributed to inflation.

In response, Trade Minister Bolat announced plans to increase fines for excessive price increases to 800,000 liras.