Turkey Ministry of Trade fines companies for fake restaurant practices

The Turkish Ministry of Trade's Advertising Board has imposed administrative sanctions on companies for using deceptive practices on food delivery platforms. Investigations revealed businesses operating as multiple distinct restaurants on digital platforms while actually functioning from a single physical location.

One specific entity, Data Gurme Gıda Turizm Ticaret Limited Şirketi, was fined 1,083,000 TL for using nine different restaurant names—including Sushi Samba, Noodle Factory, and Dragon Sushi Bar—to create the illusion of multiple independent businesses with varying addresses and consumer ratings. The Board determined this practice creates a misleading perception for consumers and leads to unfair competition.

The Ministry continues to monitor digital platforms for various forms of manipulation, including fake reviews, deceptive pricing, undisclosed advertisements, and influencer promotions. Under current regulations, administrative fines for internet advertisements can reach up to 10,837,065 TL, and the Ministry maintains the authority to implement access blocks when necessary.