Kyiv restaurants are losing up to 50% of their customers due to power outages.
In Kyiv, the restaurant business is experiencing significant financial losses due to prolonged power outages. Attendance at establishments has decreased by 10–50%, and expenses for operating generators have increased substantially. Small family cafes and bakeries are particularly vulnerable and may close after several months of losses.
Restaurants in the capital city are losing between 10% and 50% of their customers due to prolonged power outages and rising fuel costs, forcing establishments to operate at a loss. This was stated by Olga Nasanova, a co-founder of the National Restaurant Association of Ukraine.
According to her, the main problem is the prolonged power outages and the rising cost of fuel, making it economically unfeasible to keep businesses running on generators. Attendance at establishments has decreased by 10–30%, and in some cases, particularly in shopping centers, it has fallen to 50%.
Demand for food delivery during prolonged power outages is increasing, but the development of this area is being hindered by a shortage of delivery drivers. Another obstacle is the lack of street lighting during power outages.
Small family-run businesses, cafes, and bakeries are the most vulnerable to the current economic difficulties, as they often lack sufficient financial reserves to cover losses for an extended period. If a business operates at a loss for three to four months, owners often decide to sell or close it.