The short version
- NotiCel reports that 95% of surveyed restaurants said operational costs are higher than in 2025, with 46% seeing increases over 10%
- Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel indicate 57% reported fewer customers and 46% had lower sales than the previous year
- Both outlets state 51% identified electricity as their main cost and 54% as their top local concern, while 29% listed water among top three cost worries
- According to the study, 55% are considering reducing staff or hours, down from 87% raising prices in 2022 to 51% now
Rising costs and declining traffic
The majority of restaurants in Puerto Rico are experiencing higher operational costs and reduced customer traffic, according to a study commissioned by the Asociación de Restaurantes de Puerto Rico (ASORE). NotiCel reported that 95% of participating establishments indicated their costs are greater than in 2025, while 46% reported increases exceeding 10%. At the same time, 57% saw fewer clients and 46% registered lower sales than the year before.
The study, titled Proyecciones 2026 and conducted by Inteligencia Económica, was carried out between Sept. 15 and Oct. 14, 2026, surveying nearly 20% of the industry’s establishments. Metro Puerto Rico reported similar findings, noting that 55% of respondents identified staff or hour reductions as one of the main measures to address rising costs.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Los restaurantes están haciendo un esfuerzo extraordinario para mantener sus operaciones en un entorno de costos crecientes.
Our translation: Restaurants are making an extraordinary effort to maintain their operations in an environment of rising costs.
The source's own statement, as quoted by NotiCel. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Electricity remains top pressure
Electricity continues to be the sector’s primary burden. Both NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico reported that 51% of restaurants identified it as their main cost, while 54% listed it as their greatest local concern. The drought has added pressure, with 29% including water among their top three cost concerns.
Restaurants are showing less willingness to raise prices. The share that compensates for costs through price increases fell from 87% in 2022 to 51% in the current survey. Meanwhile, 17% said they had lowered prices to attract customers.
ASORE calls for government support
ASORE President Sonia Navarro stated that restaurants are making an extraordinary effort to maintain operations amid rising costs. She said owners are seeking alternatives to serve customers, protect jobs and keep offerings accessible even as margins shrink. Navarro added that when costs of electricity, water, food and other inputs rise, establishments cannot always pass them on without affecting demand, so they must carefully evaluate expenses, schedules, staff and prices.
The organization is proposing government measures including initiatives from the departments of Tourism and Economic Development, as well as a tax exemption on prepared foods that ASORE has promoted since the beginning of the year. The study results were presented at the ASORE Restaurant Show 2026, held Friday and Saturday at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.
Where the sources differ
NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico largely agree on all key figures, including 95% facing higher costs, 57% or “more than half” reporting fewer customers, 46% with lower sales, 51% citing electricity as main cost, 54% as top concern, 29% worried about water, and 55% considering staff or hour cuts. Metro Puerto Rico published one day earlier and used slightly rounded language such as “más de la mitad” for the customer reduction, while NotiCel provided the exact 57% figure and additional detail on the 17% that reduced prices. Both quote the same statements from ASORE President Sonia Navarro and the economists Gustavo Vélez and Chantal Benet.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not disclose the exact number of restaurants surveyed beyond “nearly 20%” of the industry, the total sample size, the precise average cost increase, the current number of jobs in the sector, or any specific government response timeline to ASORE’s proposals for tax exemptions or departmental initiatives. No information is given on projected closures or the overall economic contribution of the restaurant industry for 2026.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official La mayoría de los restaurantes reporta menos clientes y considera reducir empleados u horarios
- Reporting La mayoría de los restaurantes reporta menos clientes y considera reducir empleados u horarios
- Reporting Más de la mitad de los restaurantes en Puerto Rico reporta menos clientes, según estudio
How we checked this
NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico both based their coverage on the same ASORE-commissioned Proyecciones 2026 study by Inteligencia Económica and on statements from ASORE President Sonia Navarro. NotiCel included additional context on the 17% of establishments that reduced prices and published on the same day the Restaurant Show continued, while Metro Puerto Rico’s earlier article emphasized the staff-reduction finding.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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