2026 World Cup revenue insufficient for restaurants amid inflation, warns Canirac

The head of Mexico's National Chamber of Restaurants and Seasoned Foods (Canirac) has cautioned that the economic boost from the 2026 World Cup will be insufficient to counteract persistent inflation and tax burdens.

Claudia Ramírez, Canirac's executive president, stated that the tournament's financial benefits are concentrated in June and July. Throughout the rest of the year, restaurants continue to grapple with rising operational costs, increased prices for supplies, and the impact of tax modifications implemented earlier in the year. Small and micro-businesses relying on food delivery services have seen their costs jump by 20-30%, significantly affecting their cash flow.

Ramírez also highlighted the negative impact of recent blockades in Mexico City, which affected over a thousand establishments in key areas like Paseo de la Reforma and the Historic Center. Some businesses experienced losses of up to 40% when they lost customers for an entire week due to these disruptions. Reduced mobility not only impacted restaurant revenue but also staff tips and employees' commutes.

Despite these challenges, Canirac projects a 30% increase in sales for the restaurant industry during June and July, benefiting over 206,000 establishments and generating an estimated 39,000 additional jobs. The sector has prepared by enhancing staff training and collaborating with authorities to ensure regulatory compliance. Initial reports after Mexico's opening match indicated that 28% of restaurants saw sales higher than a normal day, with some experiencing 40-50% growth, particularly in bar-restaurants and cantinas. Four out of ten establishments hired extra staff to meet the demand.

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The economic benefit associated with the tournament is concentrated solely in June and July, while throughout the rest of the year, establishments continue to face higher operating costs, increases in supplies, and impacts derived from tax modifications applied at the beginning of the year.