Restaurants Canada Welcomes New Flexibility for B.C. Restaurants Through Licensee-to-Licensee Alcohol Sales

Restaurants Canada welcomes the Government of British Columbia’s decision to approve licensee-to-licensee alcohol sales, allowing licensed restaurants to purchase alcohol directly from private liquor retailers. The change takes effect immediately as a three-year pilot.

Restaurants Canada has long supported licensee-to-licensee sales as a practical modernization measure that increases business flexibility while expanding consumer choice.

This long-advocated reform gives restaurants greater flexibility in sourcing alcohol products and strengthens their ability to manage inventory, storage constraints and supply challenges more effectively.

“Restaurants are constantly looking for ways to better serve their customers and remain competitive in a challenging business environment,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “This change will make it easier for operators to access unique and specialty products, offer more choice to customers, and build distinctive beverage programs that reflect local demand and evolving consumer preferences.”

The move represents an important step toward modernizing British Columbia’s liquor distribution system and brings the province closer to a more flexible and competitive marketplace for hospitality businesses.

“With major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 on the horizon, this added flexibility will help restaurants offer a broader range of products to guests and more effectively manage through periods of peak demand,” added Cheryl Maitland Muir, Vice President, Western Canada, Restaurants Canada.

Restaurants Canada thanks the Honourable Lana Popham, British Columbia’s Minister of Agriculture and Food, and the Government of British Columbia for their leadership and collaboration in advancing this change.

British Columbia’s restaurant industry generates more than $16 billion in annual sales and employs nearly 190,000 people at more than 12,000 locations across the province. Yet despite growing sales, rising food, labour and occupancy costs continue to put significant pressure on restaurant profitability, with more than 36% of operators either losing money or just breaking even. Reforms that improve operational flexibility help restaurants remain competitive, invest in growth, and continue serving communities across British Columbia.

Background

Under the new policy, restaurants and other licensed establishments can purchase alcohol from authorized private retailers, including licensee retail stores, wine stores, special wine stores, and rural licensee retail stores. Eligible purchasers include food-primary, liquor-primary, and catering licensees, as well as clubs and manufacturers with lounge endorsements.

Media Contact:

Cheryl Maitland Muir, Restaurants Canada | cmuir@restaurantscanada.org | 604-828-6961

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $125 billion industry employing 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada. Visit restaurantscanada.org for more information.