Economic Uncertainty and Inflation Impact Jalisco’s Restaurant Sector
Guadalajara, Jalisco. Global economic uncertainty and inflation have affected the Jalisco restaurant industry, reporting a 15% sales decline in 2025 so far, according to the Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Restaurantes y Alimentos Condimentados (CANIRAC).
Gregorio Godoy, president of the Jalisco delegation of CANIRAC, told El Economista that not only are sales down but credit card spending has increased by 20%. People continue to dine out, but they are accumulating more debt as they pay with plastic money due to a lack of cash.
“You might see the same 100 people in a restaurant, but it doesn’t mean they’re spending the same; their average ticket decreases because they bring less money to spend. Even in fully occupied establishments, it’s not all of them, and even among those who are present, people don’t spend as much as six or eight months ago,” Godoy emphasized.
Rising Inflation
According to Godoy Ramírez, the cost of supplies in the restaurant industry has increased by an average of 20%. However, most entrepreneurs in the sector do not pass this increase on to the end consumer and absorb it into their profit margins.
“We conducted an exercise at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, which showed that the basic basket of restaurant owners increased by an average of 20%. Many restaurant owners are reluctant to raise prices exactly as they are; they absorb it and gradually increase prices when it can no longer be absorbed,” explained the CANIRAC president.
He mentioned that supply costs rise almost weekly, while restaurants cannot adjust their menus as frequently, exacerbating financial pressure.
Labor Reforms
Another challenge facing the sector, according to Godoy Ramírez, are labor reforms, both those already approved and those yet to be approved. These include reducing the workweek from 48 to 40 hours.
“We have a serious personnel problem; we lack personnel. If they approve the implementation of reducing the workweek from 48 to 40 hours all at once, we will have problems because we won’t have anyone to replace those breaks; we don’t have the personnel. If you visit any restaurant, they will tell you they don’t have 100% of their staff; many are at 80 or 75%,” he stressed.
Godoy stated that Jalisco has over 47,000 business units, with around 17,000 located in Guadalajara’s metropolitan area and more than 380,000 employees, making it the second-largest job generator in Jalisco’s industrial sector.
Restaurant Merit Award
To recognize the efforts and commitment of Jalisco’s restaurant industry entrepreneurs, CANIRAC’s Jalisco delegation will hold the second edition of the Restaurant Merit Award and the first Restaurant Summit, a meeting and professionalization space for industry actors.
The event will take place on November 12 and 13, featuring conferences by international chefs and experts, as well as an exhibition of specialized suppliers in restaurant industry supplies and services.
Organizers expect the attendance of 2,600 people over the two days, including entrepreneurs, chefs, mixologists, suppliers, and students.
The Restaurant Merit Award will recognize the best of the industry in 16 categories, with each winner chosen by public voting.
