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Restaurant no-show fees to be increased to maximum 40%: FTC

Published: 22 Oct. 2025, 16:34

A sign at a restaurant in Seoul on Dec. 3, 2024. [YONHAP]

Cancellation fees for failing to show up for restaurant reservations are expected significantly increase later this year, the antitrust watchdog said Wednesday.

Under a revised law currently pending administrative notice, no-show fees for missing a reservation without notice will be raised from the current 10 percent of the total bill to a maximum 20 percent, according to the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).

In addition, restaurants that require advance reservations to prepare ingredients, such as omakase and fine dining establishments, will be allowed to impose a cancellation fee of up to 40 percent, the FTC said.

Restaurants that are not classified as reservation-based establishments will also be allowed to charge up to 40 percent in cancellation fees for large orders, if the terms are clearly disclosed to customers in advance.

"The current 10 percent cap on cancellation fees is too low, which has led to some abusive consumers deliberately making and missing reservations repeatedly," an FTC official said.

The revised regulations are expected to take effect by the end of the year, following the required administrative notice period.

Yonhap