End to 'cover' and 'service' charges in restaurants: Businesses that do not comply will be fined
Additional fees charged by restaurants and cafes under names such as cover, service, and table fees are being abolished. High administrative fines are on the agenda for businesses that do not comply with the new regulation.
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The practice of charging customers cover and service fees by businesses providing food and beverage services is being brought to an end. As the regulation work prepared by the Ministry of Trade nears completion, administrative fines of up to 1 million 439 thousand Turkish Liras may be imposed on businesses that do not comply with the new rules.
Under the current practice, it was possible for businesses to demand such fees if they clearly stated these additional items on their price lists. With the new regulation, this method will be completely eliminated. Consumers will only pay for the products they order.
The regulation is expected to be published in the Official Gazette and enter into force in the coming days. The tipping practice will continue as it is based on a voluntary basis.
RULES REGARDING PRICE LISTS
With a previous regulation, the Ministry had made it mandatory for establishments such as restaurants, cafes, patisseries, and similar businesses to display tariff and price lists at the entrance of the workplace and on the tables where services are provided, in a way that consumers can easily see and read.
Furthermore, the regulation stipulated that if a service fee or any other fee under a different name was charged in addition to the prices on the price list, this must also be clearly shown on the tariff and price list. With the new regulation, this practice is being completely abolished.