KPO. BIG InfoMonitor: Despite the decline, the HoReCa industry's debt exceeds PLN 2 billion.

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As of the end of June, the debt of restaurants and hotels surpassed PLN 2 billion, marking a decrease of PLN 42.5 million compared to the prior year, based on information from BIG InfoMonitor. The chief analyst at BIK, Dr. Waldemar Rogowski, suggests that while the HoReCa sector is on the path to recovery, it remains „significantly impacted.”

By the end of June, 5.7% of the market, representing over 13,200 businesses, were in debt – a reduction of 245 compared to the previous year.

The average debt exceeds PLN 150,000

The average debt per business amounts to over PLN 152,500. The authors of the report observed that in 2024, the sector’s debt rose by nearly PLN 200 million to PLN 2.1 billion in comparison to 2023, along with an increase in the number of unreliable payers – up by 594 to 13,500. The accommodation sector’s debt alone at the end of June this year was around PLN 988 million, owed by more than 1,900 companies. This represented a decrease of PLN 10 million from the previous year. In the restaurant sector, the debt stands at PLN 1.02 billion, involving 11,200 entities – with a reduction of PLN 32.6 million in debt and a decline of 206 in the number of debtors.

Dr. Waldemar Rogowski from BIG InfoMonitor has evaluated that the financial health of the sector has improved over the last year. „It’s evident that HoReCa is on the mend, yet it is still heavily affected. One cannot discuss the present state of this sector without reflecting on the past. The pandemic has significantly influenced the current conditions of hotels and restaurants. Additionally, the period of soaring inflation should not be overlooked,” the analyst remarked.

The biggest debts

The largest debts are held by businesses providing food and lodging services in the Masovian, Łódź, and Lesser Poland Voivodeships. The total arrears in these areas reach PLN 888.5 million, owed by over 4,600 companies. Within this group, only Masovia has experienced a decline in debt – from PLN 376.5 million to PLN 373.3 million – and a lower number of debtors – from 2,782 to 2,777 companies. Concurrently, this voivodeship has the highest proportion of struggling businesses; statistics indicate that 8.2% of entrepreneurs in this market are indebted.

Conditions have improved in the Silesian, Pomeranian, Lower Silesian, Greater Poland, Warmian-Masurian, Lublin, and Świętokrzyskie Voivodeships. In Świętokrzyskie, total arrears decreased by nearly half over the year, from PLN 60.4 million to PLN 32.5 million. Conversely, a decline was noted in the Łódź, Lesser Poland, Subcarpathian, West Pomeranian, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Podlaskie, Lubusz, and Opole Voivodeships. The Łódź, Greater Poland, and West Pomeranian Voivodeships also saw an uptick in the number of debtors, whereas other regions experienced reductions.

Rogowski emphasized that businesses in tourist areas and cities generally find themselves in a more favorable position. „Companies in the Podkarpacie region, the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, and the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship have performed better up to now, but we are now witnessing a reversal. This year, unpredictable weather conditions may jeopardize the financial recovery plans of many HoReCa entrepreneurs,” pointed out the BIG InfoMonitor analyst. He believes it is evident that the industry is „gradually emerging from a challenging period characterized by the pandemic and high inflation.”

The industry has been hit hard

According to „Puls Biznesu,” the HoReCa industry faced severe challenges due to the pandemic outbreak. Data from PARP indicates that over 60% of companies experienced a drop in turnover and revenue. Many were on the verge of closure, and numerous operations ceased altogether.

However, the newspaper states, „the further we move away from the pandemic, the better the circumstances.” In 2024, the HoReCa market expanded by 9%, according to the report „HoReCa Market in Poland 2025,” compiled by PMR Market Experts at the request of Hume’s Institute, as referenced by the newspaper.

Furthermore, data from the Central Statistical Office reveal that in July this year, the sentiment within this sector was noticeably more positive, „and some of the obstacles to conducting business began to diminish in significance.”

Nevertheless, the newspaper warns that complications regarding KPO subsidies will adversely affect the industry. It noted that the Ministry of Funds and Regional Development (MFiRR) has disbursed PLN 110 million to businesses to date, while the entire sectoral program totals PLN 1.2 billion. Over 3,000 contracts have been executed in total. „The MFiRR is currently putting KPO payments to companies in

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