Overview of the Current Situation
The Mexican restaurant sector has seen a growth rate of 2 to 2.5% so far in 2023, which falls short of the initial projections ranging from 5 to 6%, according to Ignacio Alarcón Rodríguez Pacheco, President of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Condiment Industry (Canirac).
Regional Variations
Some regions have shown growth above the average, driven by increased investments.
Optimistic Outlook for the Second Half of 2023
Alarcón expressed confidence that the economic situation will improve in the second half of 2023, allowing the sector to achieve a growth rate of 4% annually.
“The growth hasn’t been as good as we expected, with numerous factors affecting both the global and Mexican landscape. However, we believe that dining out is an essential part of people’s lives. We initially projected a growth rate between 5 to 6%, but there are still several months left in the year, and positive changes are expected for Mexico. We hope to reach a 4% growth rate,” he stated.
Querétaro’s Significance in the Restaurant Industry
Alarcón highlighted Querétaro’s importance in the industry, as investors find favorable conditions to establish their projects there.
“Querétaro is a city and state of opportunities where security plays a crucial role, which directly benefits our industry. Restaurants operate early in the morning and late into the night, making Querétaro an attractive destination for investors,” he explained.
He emphasized the significance of tourism in Querétaro’s restaurant development, aiming to promote gastronomy through Canirac.
Attracting Investors
During his visit to Querétaro, which hosted the national meeting of Canirac presidents and marked the 50th anniversary of the chamber in the state, Alarcón mentioned that the gathering of leaders would help attract entrepreneurs to invest in the entity.
National Supply Chain
To bolster the national economy and reduce imports, Canirac collaborates with the federal government to compile a list of domestic suppliers related to the food industry.
The sector comprises nearly 500,000 restaurants in Mexico, generating over 300 billion pesos in national supply chain purchases.
“We recently created a national catalog with the federal government and the sector, aiming to list all domestic supply chains—from agroindustry to wines. This initiative strengthens the industry, fosters domestic economic growth, and minimizes imports,” Alarcón said.
Training and Security
On the occasion of Canirac’s 50th anniversary in Querétaro, state president Citlali Camacho Soltero emphasized the need to strengthen the sector through professionalization.
Camacho Soltero explained that they plan to achieve this through training, courses, certifications, and workshops. Additionally, they are working on creating a schedule of local gastronomic events.
She also mentioned that Canirac recently met with Querétaro’s Secretariat for Urban Security to reinforce security strategies in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. During the meeting, they discussed implementing facial recognition technology to enhance establishment security.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current growth rate of Mexico’s restaurant industry? The growth rate is 2 to 2.5%, which is below the initial projection of 5 to 6%.
- Which regions are experiencing growth above the average? Some regions have shown growth above the average, driven by increased investments.
- What is Canirac’s outlook for the second half of 2023? Canirac’s president, Ignacio Alarcón Rodríguez Pacheco, is optimistic about the economic situation improving in the second half of 2023, allowing the sector to achieve a growth rate of 4% annually.
- Why is Querétaro significant in the restaurant industry? Querétaro offers favorable conditions for investors due to its strong security and extended operating hours for restaurants.
- What initiatives is Canirac undertaking to support the industry? Canirac is working on compiling a national supplier catalog, promoting gastronomy to boost tourism, and implementing training programs for professionalization.
- What security measures is Canirac discussing with state authorities? Canirac is exploring the implementation of facial recognition technology to enhance security in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
