A recent survey by the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel) revealed that over 40% of bars and restaurants in Rio Grande do Norte were in debt as of January 2023. The survey, which was conducted with business owners from February 23 to March 3, found that one in four establishments reported operating at a loss that month. Specifically, it indicated that 25% of these businesses experienced negative results, while 50% reported making a profit and 24% remained stable.

The study highlighted that many establishments were struggling with debt, with 44% admitting to overdue payments. The debts mainly consisted of federal taxes (83% of respondents), state taxes (53%), and bank loans (43%). This financial instability poses challenges to the industry, which has been recovering from previous economic downturns and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for both policy support and effective management strategies among business owners.

Moreover, Abrasel noted concerning trends in the financial performance of these establishments, with 45% of the owners stating that their January revenues were lower compared to December’s figures, while 40% reported an increase. This disparity in revenue growth and debt accumulation suggests a complex economic landscape for the food and beverage sector in Rio Grande do Norte, indicating that while some businesses are returning to profitability, many continue to face significant financial hurdles that could threaten their viability in the long term.