A study by the firm Inteligencia Económica for the Puerto Rico Restaurant Association (Asore) found that 35% of restaurant owners in Puerto Rico are considering closing, roughly 1,500 restaurants. Economists Gustavo Vélez and Chantal Benet Arbona presented the findings at a forum on Friday during Asore’s convention at the Miramar Convention Center. If only closures already decided or highly likely occur, about 1,300 establishments (6%) would close and nearly 4,700 direct jobs would be at risk, mostly at independent restaurants.
The survey covered 898 establishments, 18% of the 5,019 open in the first quarter of 2026, between September 15 and October 14. Results: 46.8% reported lower sales than in 2025, 57.4% had fewer customers, 66% operate on a margin below 8%, and 17% operate at a loss. Declines were sharpest in fine dining (80%), while 70% of fast-food restaurants sold more.
Of respondents, 95.7% reported higher costs than in 2025. Electricity is the main operating cost for 51%, followed by food (19.1%), payroll (12.8%) and taxes (8.5%). 52% reduced staff, the first such cutback since the pandemic.
Asore president Sonia Navarro questioned why electricity is the top expense and said restaurants cannot always pass increases on to prices. She urged support from agencies and a tax exemption on prepared food. The economists flagged the proposed January electricity rate adjustment and the war as added risks, with holiday sales as the next barometer.