New Delhi, Feb. 9 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd to stop levying a service charge at its restaurants, reinforcing the government's tightening stance on billing practices that regulators and courts have repeatedly flagged as unfair to consumers.

In an order that Mint has reviewed, the country' apex consumer watchdog said it took suo motu cognisance of a consumer complaint registered on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) over Barbeque Nation's inclusion of a service charge in addition to central and state good and services tax (GST) in its bills.

The complaint, filed in March 2025, sought a refund of a Rs.335 service fee. According to the CCPA order, while the restaurant ...