02.05.2026 23:02
It was alleged that a mother and her daughter in need were not allowed into a world-famous fast-food chain branch in the Tarabya neighborhood of Istanbul's Sarıyer district, citing their 'socio-economic status.' While it was claimed that another customer's purchase of food for the mother and daughter was not permitted to be served at the table, the incident sparked outrage on social media.
At a Burger King branch in Tarabya, one of Istanbul's prestigious neighborhoods, a mother and her daughter who were in financial difficulty were allegedly denied permission to eat in the restaurant on the grounds that they were "poor." The incident, which came to light thanks to the attention and intervention of a customer, caused outrage on social media, and artist Sabahat Akkiraz also reacted strongly.
"WHILE I CAN EAT, WHY CAN'T THEY EAT"
The incident began when a customer placed a digital order for a mother and her daughter in need at the restaurant. The customer paid for the family's meal along with his own order and handed the receipt to the family, but encountered an unexpected obstacle during preparation. When his own meal was served on a tray, the sensitive customer noticed that a tray was being prepared for the mother and daughter and asked why; according to the allegations, restaurant staff replied, "They cannot eat in the restaurant; we can only prepare takeout for them."
MANAGER'S DEFENSE: "WE CAN'T LET EVERYONE IN"
The restaurant manager, who was called over regarding the incident, reportedly responded to the customer's objections in a loud and harsh tone. When the customer asked, "While I can eat here, why isn't this family allowed in?" the manager allegedly answered, "We have rules; we can't let just anyone in."
After other customers also reacted, the management backed down and only then provided table service to the family.
However, this incident sparked widespread reaction both on social media and at the restaurant.
BOYCOTT CALL FROM SABAHAT AKKIRAZ
After the incident resonated on social media, Turkish folk music artist and former member of parliament Sabahat Akkiraz also issued a strong statement, announcing that she would not visit the Tarabya branch. In her post, Akkiraz said: "Tarabya is my neighborhood. From now on, I will neither go to the Burger King Tarabya branch nor send anyone from my family there. Poverty is not a crime. For global brands, people are just tools. Shame."
JUSTIFICATION INSTEAD OF APOLOGY
After the scandal, the customer spoke again with the manager and stated that the other party did not utter a single word of apology; on the contrary, they continued to defend the exhibited attitude. This treatment, where a small child was told to their face, "You cannot sit here," was described by social media users as "inhuman discrimination."
While no official statement has yet been made by the brand and branch at the center of the allegations, it has been learned that the concerned citizen who brought the incident to the public's attention has obtained the family's contact information and will follow up on the legal and social process.