According to the "HoReCa Club," today the hospitality industry in Kyrgyzstan stands at a crossroads: it is necessary to decide how to preserve jobs or succumb to populism. The association urges the government to pay attention to the real human destinies behind the dry statistics. 15% is not just a surcharge; it is a chance for life in Kyrgyzstan.
The discussion about the possible abolition of the 15% "service charge" touches on vital aspects of the sector's functioning. Restaurateurs emphasize that this money has never been a "bonus" for owners. "This is a means of existence for 400,000 citizens," the association states, pointing out that every sixth able-bodied person in the country works in the HoReCa sector. These are cooks, waiters, and technical staff who chose to stay in the country instead of going abroad for work.
Social Crisis The association called the attempt to "cut" 15% from the restaurant economy a direct blow to the incomes of ordinary workers. "Either this money is legally included in the price of dishes, or hundreds of thousands of families will find themselves among migrants tomorrow," the "HoReCa Club" believes and presents the pricing structure faced by restaurateurs:
- products and raw materials (meat, vegetables, milk) - 38-40% (prices are rising daily);
- salary and taxes (including these 15%, which have become part of the salary) - 15%;
- rent - 7-8%;
- taxes (single tax, patents) - 4.6%;
- utilities and security - 2-2.5%;
- operating expenses (service) - 2-2.5%;
- marketing and customer attraction - 5-6%;
- equipment maintenance (depreciation) - 1.5%;
- bank acquiring and commissions - 1.5%;
- other expenses (logistics, packaging, MRP) - 5%.
The total cost reaches 83% to 89%.“Only 11-17% margin remains for development and debt coverage. This is the critical minimum. If businesses have to 'give away' service or compensate for inflation on raw materials, the industry simply will not survive,” the association emphasized.
The "HoReCa Club" notes that public catering is not just the resale of goods, but a full-fledged food production that operates under strict HACCP standards while simultaneously offering world-class service. The labor of farmers, logisticians, technologists, and waiters is accounted for in every check.
“We appeal to the government for dialogue, not repression. Price increases on the menu are not greed but a cry for help. This is the only way to preserve jobs and not leave 400,000 people without means of existence. We ask for recognition of HoReCa as a strategic industry and to stop unilateral pressures. We are not protecting profits but the right of our people to work and live in their homeland,” the association stated.
We remind you that from January 1, 2026, a decree prohibiting the collection of service charges in public catering establishments, including cafes and restaurants, came into force in Kyrgyzstan. This means that there should be no line for "service percentage" in the checks.
