08.06.2026 19:11
During an inspection at a restaurant in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, teams from the Ministry of Trade caught the establishment illegally charging customers a 'service fee' 69 times. In the raid, it was also determined that the prices of 72 products were hidden on the entrance menu and unjustified price increases were made. The opportunistic business was slapped with a massive administrative fine exceeding half a million Turkish Lira in total.
The Ministry of Trade has intensified its inspections against businesses that victimize consumers, violate regulations, and generate unfair profits. A restaurant operating in Beyoğlu, one of Istanbul's prominent entertainment and tourism hubs, was heavily fined for improperly charging customers "service fees" and using hidden menu prices.
"SERVICE FEE" TRAP IN 69 SEPARATE CHECKS
During detailed inspections conducted by Ministry of Trade inspectors at the aforementioned restaurant, the bills issued to customers on June 6 were scrutinized. The investigations caught the business red-handed, charging consumers additional fees under the name "service fee" in violation of regulations across a total of 69 separate checks. The Ministry imposed an administrative fine of 274,137 lira on the restaurant solely for this irregularity.
THEY SOLD PRODUCTS NOT ON THE MENU: ANOTHER PENALTY!
The irregularities at the restaurant were not limited to the service fee. During the teams' inspection of the establishment, it was determined that the price information for a total of 72 products offered for sale was not included on the menu, which is legally required to be displayed at the entrance. The business was separately fined 286,056 lira for these hidden products, whose prices customers could not see at the door.
REFERRED TO THE UNFAIR PRICE INCREASE BOARD
Inspection personnel found that excessive and unfair price increases, exceeding market conditions, were applied to 6 different products sold at the restaurant. A legal investigation was immediately initiated regarding these products that were subjected to price manipulation, and the prepared file was referred to the Unfair Price Evaluation Board within the Ministry for penal action.
CLEAR MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTRY: "INSPECTIONS WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT COMPROMISE"
In the official statement made by the Ministry of Trade on the matter, the emphasis was on establishing a fair and transparent trade order in the markets. It was resolutely stated that similar inspections will continue uncompromisingly and decisively across all of Turkey, with the aim of protecting consumers' economic interests and effectively combating profiteers who generate unfair gains.