site.btaLeading Turkish Restaurateurs Call for Price Cuts to Revive Sector

Turkiye's leading restaurateurs' association has called on its members to offer a 10% discount on their menus in a bid to "revive" the sector, Hurriyet daily said.

The call was made following a meeting between representatives of the All Restaurants and Restaurant Suppliers Association (TURES) and Trade Minister Omer Bolat, during which an assessment was made of current prices in the sector.

TURES head Ramazan Bingol announced the discount initiative following a board meeting held after the meeting with Minister Bolat.

“We urge the members of TURES to give ten percent discount on menus or part of the menus to revive the sector again,” he said.

In April, social media users began a boycott of restaurants and cafes in protest of the price hikes. The activity on social media drew attention to examples of inflated bills and comparisons between food prices in Istanbul and other cities, which intensified public discontent.

Owners of restaurants and cafes explain the price hikes by the rising costs of rent and utilities.

The Minister of Trade recently announced plans to increase penalties for excessively high prices to 800,000 Turkish liras (nearly EUR 23,000).