Over 1,000 Restaurants Close in Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The gastronomic industry in Quintana Roo is confronting an unprecedented crisis in 2025, with at least 1,050 food and beverage businesses having closed so far this year. This figure represents 17 percent of the state's total formal establishments, according to estimates from business leaders.

The outlook is bleak. Although the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) acknowledges a natural turnover of businesses each year, the current numbers reflect an accelerated deterioration provoked by a drop in sales, increased costs, and weakened local and tourist consumption.

20 Percent More Closures Than in 2024

According to Marcy Bezaleel Pacheco, president of Cocineros de Quintana Roo, the closure of gastronomic businesses has increased by 20 percent compared to 2024, while the opening of new establishments has grown by only 12 percent.

"Many of the businesses that open do not survive more than six months. Today, a restaurant costs twice as much to operate as it did five years ago and brings in half the income," he stated.

The Canirac Quintana Roo, led by its president José Julio Villarreal Zapata, confirms the trend. In 2024, between 40 and 50 closures were registered, but this year the figure has already surpassed one thousand and is concentrated primarily in Cancún, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Chetumal.

"Sales have fallen between 30 and 40 percent, and profitability has been reduced to a minimum," he pointed out.

Less Tourist Spending and Higher Costs

Although Mexico received 19.36 million international tourists between January and May of 2025—an increase of 6.8 percent compared to the previous year—the average spending fell by 6.9 percent, according to Datatur. This confirms there is less effective consumption in the destinations of the Mexican Caribbean.

This is compounded by increases of up to 15 percent in electricity, gas, fuel, rents, and supplies, making operations unsustainable for many businesses.

Insecurity and Extortion Worsen the Crisis

The sector is also facing pressures from insecurity and extortion. The case of the El Ballenitas restaurant, which was burned down in September in Cancún under suspicion of extortion for "protection" payments, is just one of several incidents that have led to the closure of establishments.

Survival Strategies: Less Staff and Dark Kitchens

In the face of adversity, many restaurants have opted to reduce menus, operate with fewer employees, or migrate to delivery service. Some have even transformed into dark kitchens—businesses without a physical dining room dedicated exclusively to sales through applications—as a temporary strategy to stay afloat.

"Without tax incentives or accessible credit, the closure of restaurants could double in the next two years," warned Bezaleel Pacheco.

Canirac: Employment Holds, But a Deficit is Expected

Despite the crisis, Villarreal Zapata emphasized that the industry is trying to avoid massive layoffs, although a deficit of up to 10 percent in personnel is anticipated by the end of the year, due to labor migration toward the hotel sector.

An Urgent Call to the Government

Business owners are calling on the federal and state governments for financial support policies, tax incentives, and training programs to halt the closure of establishments and prevent more businesses from migrating to the informal sector.

The gastronomic sector, one of the pillars of the tourist economy in Quintana Roo, requires an urgent rescue to prevent a greater collapse by 2026.