Background on the Situation
Juan José Sánchez, the president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Condiment Industry (Canirac), announced that 30 restaurants have closed in Puebla City due to low sales during the first five months of 2025. These closures include both well-known establishments and those that had just started operations.
Impact of Major Events
Despite the anticipation of growth in 2025, similar to the previous three years, neither the Semana Santa holidays nor Mother’s Day contributed to improved sales. Sánchez mentioned that closures occurred in the Angelópolis, La Paz, and Huexotitla gastronomic zones within Puebla City.
Employment Concerns
Sánchez expressed concern over the negative impact of these closures on employment, hoping that the situation does not worsen in the second half of 2025. He also noted that Father’s Day did not meet expectations, with consumer spending consistently lower than for Mother’s Day celebrations.
Current Consumer Behavior
Sánchez highlighted that the average consumption by Puebla families remains low, despite minimal price increases for dishes to avoid deterring customers.
Chile en Nogada Season
The upcoming chile en nogada season, running from July to September, offers a potential sales boost for Puebla restaurants. This dish’s price ranges from 250 to 600 pesos, depending on the establishment. Sánchez expects over 4 million servings of this dish to be sold during this period, indirectly benefiting producers of ingredients like apples, pears, castilla nuts, peaches, and Puebla chiles.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Juan José Sánchez? He is the president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Condiment Industry (Canirac) in Puebla.
- How many restaurants have closed in Puebla? Thirty restaurants have shut down in Puebla City due to low sales.
- Which events failed to boost restaurant sales? Neither Semana Santa holidays nor Mother’s Day contributed to improved sales.
- What is the expected impact on employment? The closures are causing concern over job losses in the restaurant sector.
- What is the current consumer behavior in Puebla? Families in Puebla are consuming at lower rates despite minimal price increases for dishes.
- What is the chile en nogada season, and why is it important? This season, running from July to September, is crucial for Puebla restaurants as it drives sales of the popular chile en nogada dish, benefiting producers of essential ingredients.
