Background on Julio Villarreal Zapata and Canirac
Julio Villarreal Zapata, the president of the Cancún chapter of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Condiment Industry (Canirac), has been a prominent figure in Mexico’s hospitality sector. His organization represents numerous restaurants and food businesses in the popular tourist destination of Cancún, Quintana Roo. Villarreal Zapata’s insights are crucial for understanding the current state and future prospects of the local restaurant industry.
Annual Balance and December Rebound
According to the annual balance report by Canirac, Cancún’s restaurant sector experienced a decline of 12% to 17% compared to the earnings from 2024. Despite this, there was a significant uptick in table occupancy during the second week of December, reaching approximately 85% due to holiday seasonal demand.
Villarreal Zapata acknowledged the positive sign but emphasized that even with the revenue from Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations, the annual balance still shows double-digit losses compared to 2024.
Challenges for 2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead, Villarreal Zapata anticipates that 2026 will continue to pose challenges similar to those faced in 2025. These challenges include expected salary and tax increases, along with a decrease in the purchasing power of the local population.
Restaurant Closures and Financial Support
The struggling situation has led to the closure of at least 15 establishments in Cancún’s northern zone, as they were unable to withstand the low customer turnout experienced particularly in the second half of 2025. Some restaurants attempted to downsize their operations by moving to smaller locations, but the overall trend has been more closures than new openings this year.
In an effort to alleviate the financial strain, Canirac reached out to Nacional Financiera’s representatives in late November to request tailored credits that would help them manage end-of-year expenses, such as year-end bonuses and taxes.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Julio Villarreal Zapata, and why is he relevant? Julio Villarreal Zapata is the president of Canirac’s Cancún chapter, representing numerous restaurants and food businesses in the region. His insights are essential for understanding the current state and future prospects of Cancún’s restaurant industry.
- What does the annual balance report reveal about Cancún’s restaurant sector? The report indicates that the sector experienced a 12% to 17% decline in earnings compared to 2024. However, there was a notable uptick in table occupancy during the second week of December.
- What challenges does Villarreal Zapata foresee for 2026? He anticipates continued challenges in 2026, including expected salary and tax increases alongside a decrease in the local population’s purchasing power.
- How has the restaurant closure situation been affected? There have been more closures than new openings in Cancún this year, with at least 15 establishments shutting down due to low customer turnout. Some restaurants attempted to downsize by moving to smaller locations.
- What measures has Canirac taken to address financial difficulties? In late November, Canirac sought credit support from Nacional Financiera to help manage end-of-year expenses, such as year-end bonuses and taxes.
