Bangladesh, Oct. 4 -- Restaurant operators have been going through difficult times as prices of essential food items and raw materials continue to rise alongside higher gas, electricity, LPG, rent, transport, wages and other operating costs in recent times.

The mounting costs have reduced customers' purchasing power and resulted in a fall of restaurant sales by up to 30 per cent, making it increasingly difficult for many establishments to remain in business, the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association (BROA) leaders said at a press conference held at a city hotel on Saturday morning.

Highlighting their challenging times, they pressed for a nine-point demand, including immediate implementation of a one-stop service for restaurant busine...