Cancún, Quintana Roo — Fifteen restaurants closed in Quintana Roo during the first half of 2026, and the sector lost about 20% of its jobs, according to the president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac), Perla Flores Navarro.
Flores announced the figures while revealing that Canirac will push to establish a representation in Tulum, one of the destinations hardest hit by declining tourist numbers and sargassum seaweed influx.
Unlike previous years, when new restaurant openings offset closures, investment in the sector has stalled in 2026 due to the difficult economic situation, Flores explained.
Customer traffic has dropped between 40% and 50%, depending on the season, aggravated by tax burdens, inflation, and rising food and supply costs, she said.
As a result, at least 15 establishments have ceased operations, and many businesses have been forced to reduce staff, leading to the loss of a fifth of the industry’s jobs.
In response, Canirac is working with other business chambers to promote a circular economy, encourage consumption of local products and services, and strengthen domestic tourism promotion to support the sector’s recovery through the end of the year.
