Mexican restaurant industry faces closures amid rising costs

The restaurant industry in Mexico, specifically in Campeche and Cancún, is facing a severe economic crisis driven by rising operational costs and declining consumer demand. In Campeche, businesses report a 35% drop in sales, a situation described by Rodrigo Bojórquez Ruiz, president of CANIRAC, as a “perfect storm” resulting from two years of accumulated pressures, including reduced family purchasing power and increasing costs for supplies and services.

In Cancún, the situation has led to significant closures. CANIRAC reports that at least 20 establishments have closed permanently this year, with an additional six expected to cease operations in September. The rising cost of proteins and food supplies has squeezed profit margins, making it difficult for owners to raise menu prices without further losing customers. The crisis also impacts employment, affecting kitchen staff, servers, and administrative personnel. Some business owners have reported difficulties even in the process of closing, sometimes having to trade kitchen equipment to settle obligations due to a lack of liquidity.