SAN ANTONIO — A recent report shows what restaurant owners have been telling us all year long: that the cost of goods and fuel prices are affecting their businesses.
Sergio Calderon loves making his food fresh. He says he’s seen it all, working from kitchens in Mexico to diners in New York to owning Panchos and Gringos in San Antonio.
“For me, I learned how to survive,” Calderon said.
He cited the Great Recession of 2007 as an example.
“Then the pandemic,” Calderon said. “This is the worst with the prices of gasoline and inflation.”
Kelsey Strefeurt, a public affairs officer for the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), said 2025 was a difficult year for restaurants. There was a sigh of relief at the beginning of 2026 that things would change.
“And yet, the second finding is that we are still in a very difficult economic climate,” Strefeurt said.
The concerns restaurant owners had all year long were reflected in a recently published report from the TRA.
A recent report shows that 77% of restaurant owners said the cost of goods have increased, while 66% say suppliers are now adding fuel surcharges because of gas prices.
“Food costs are up 35% since the pandemic, labor, utilities, insurance, rent, mortgage payments,” Strefeurt said.
There are also the financial strains customers are feeling, which limits the foot traffic in restaurants.
“Of course they try to keep me afloat, and they come as often as they can,” Calderon said.
Strefeurt says Texas restaurants become more efficient during times like these. Calderon learned that over the years.
“My overhead is low, and believe me, I’m no quitter,” Calderon said. “I’m going to stay.”