Restaurant service prices in Georgia will continue to rise due to high inflation and the planned increase in electricity tariffs from 2026, says Kote Gabrichidze, President of the Georgian Restaurateurs Association. Speaking on Business Morning, he noted that while 2025 has been generally positive for the sector, growing operating costs remain a major challenge.
According to Gabrichidze, demand in the restaurant industry recovered from March, and the summer season performed better than average. However, seasonal activity has not yet fully begun, as mountain resorts are still awaiting winter tourists, seaside destinations are quiet, and urban demand is traditionally low ahead of the holidays.
The main pressure on the sector, he says, comes from inflation and rising utility costs. The announced increase in electricity tariffs will further raise expenses for restaurants, forcing businesses to reconsider pricing. “Any increase in tariffs or taxes is reflected directly in service costs,” Gabrichidze stressed.
He added that restaurants are often forced to recalculate prices to keep up with rising expenses, and these increases ultimately affect consumers. For reference, the electricity tariff hike will be announced on December 29, while gas prices may see only minimal adjustments and water tariffs are expected to remain unchanged.
