The Guild of Restaurants and Food Processors (Gregua), attached to the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG), prepared a study on the behavior of the sector during the first four months of the year, as announced by the president of the Chamber, Enrique Font.
The CIG director indicated that the most recent study carried out by the union “shows a positive, although challenging, outlook.”
During the first four months of 2026, the sector has shown moderate economic growth, driven in part by the high season of Easter (celebrated between March and April) and domestic tourism, the executive indicated.
Among other data, It was announced that sales in tourist destinations grew between 10% and 15%, mainly influenced by that season.
However, he explained that the sector faces significant pressures, including the accumulated increase in input costs, which is between 8% and 12%, while the interannual inflation goals are between 4% and 5%.
Asked if the Middle East conflict, which has worsened since March, has affected the sector, he indicated that it has, since the rise in fuel prices impacts all the inputs consumed by restaurants.
Separately, Abraham Az, president of the Guatemalan Restaurant Guild (Grega GT), attached to the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (CCG), said that they agree regarding the increase in the prices of inputs and inflation. Specifically, fuel, basic food baskets and other materials register increases that impact the sector.
He said that in the union he represents there has been a growth of between 8% and 10%; However, this is mainly made up of table service restaurants, also known as fork or experience restaurants, and not so much focused on fast food.
The manager explained that These figures leave a very low margin for growth in the first quarter. In addition to the increase in supplies and fuels, salary increases must also be taken into account, he indicated.
Among the inputs that have become more expensive are meat and dairy products, such as cheese, cream and milk; Increases in vegetables are also reported.
He added that the sector has looked for ways to maintain business without passing the impact on to customers.
To face these challenges, they have implemented internal strategies and tools, as well as searching for alternatives to operate more efficiently, in order not to lose quality or increase prices.
The strategy is to look for alternatives that do not affect the client and that allow the companies to maintain the utility or profitability, Az added.
This includes the optimization of resources, products, systematization and technology, negotiation with suppliers, better internal controls and cost reduction.
“The technical and administrative issues have been analyzed to keep the business open and achieve the expected results,” said the executive.
How the rest of the year looks like
For the rest of the year, regarding the growth of the industry, Font mentioned that historically the country has maintained an inert growth of between 3.5% and 4%. The industry is expected to continue that trend; However, he noted that, If external problems are not solved, cost overruns in some inputs could reduce demand due to prices.
For the industry in general, they hope that there will be a quick solution to the conflict and that fuel transit will flow, which has a global impact.
“It impacts industries, businesses and citizens in their mobilization; I hope the conflict is resolved as soon as possible,” Font said.
Reading the data
With data like the ones presented, Font said, businesses must become increasingly more efficient: review and control costs, take care of margins and look for better ways to operate without losing quality.
Another element to consider is that there are now more informed and demanding consumers. More than 60% of urban consumers interact digitally with their restaurants, which means that the experience begins before arriving at the premises.
Messages such as a publication, review, recommendation or photograph involve taking care of the product, the service, the reputation and the complete experience within a restaurant, Font indicated.
He added that the sector presents significant growth and represents a relevant source of formal employment.
The president of the CIG highlighted that the food, beverage and restaurant sectors represent employment, investment, entrepreneurship, tourism, identity and opportunities, in addition to moving complete value chains.
Inflation
- The interannual inflation rate stood at 3.24% in April 2026, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- This behavior reflected that in April there was an acceleration in the general price increase of 0.74 points compared to March, when the indicator stood at 2.50%.
- It also evidenced the upward impact of energy products, especially gasoline, diesel and propane.
- For the second consecutive month, the general increase in prices responds to international factors, mainly oil derivatives.
- The CPI indicates that month-on-month inflation in April was 0.92%, a slowdown of 0.10 points compared to 1.02% in March.
- Meanwhile, the accumulated inflation from January to April was 2.12%.
- According to Banguat data as of May 7, inflation is expected to close the year at 4%, and at the moment it is not expected to exceed the upper limit of the goal (5%).