Skip to Main Content

Economist’s Notebook

Key industry highlights from our Chief Economist, Chris Elliott & Research Analyst, Sara Hamdy’s research, data, and insights.

Economist’s Notebook

Canadian Foodservice Sales Moderate at Year-End, Slower Growth Ahead

Canadian foodservice sales grew by 3.5% in December 2025 compared to December 2024. This was the weakest monthly…

Economist’s Notebook

Affordability Pressures Persist, but Social Activities Still Drive Dining 

Restaurants Canada’s January REACT Survey shows Canadians cut back on dining out at the start of the year, with the Consumer…

Economist’s Notebook

November sales moderate to weakest growth since February

Restaurant sales cooled sharply in November, in line with recent Angus Reid data showing that a growing share…

Economist’s Notebook

Consumer Dining Index Drops to Lowest Level of 2025

Canadians’ restaurant habits in December 2025 reflected a growing push and pull between affordability pressures and the desire…

Economist’s Notebook

Consumer Dining Slows as Budgets Tighten and Weather Cools

Restaurants Canada’s Consumer Dining Index declined to 89.9 in October 2025, marking the lowest level since March 2025….

Economist’s Notebook

Restaurants Canada Revises 2025/26 Sales Forecast

Commercial foodservice sales in Canada rose 6.9% in the first seven months of 2025, surpassing expectations of more…

Economist’s Notebook

Household Budgets Continue to Shape Canadians’ Dining Habits

Canadians’ restaurant habits in September 2025 reflected a delicate balance between financial caution and social connection, according to…

Economist’s Notebook

CTRL-ALT-DEL: A system reset for restaurants

This year’s Foodservice Facts is all about how to future-proof your restaurant.  Over the next five to ten…

Economist’s Notebook

Canada’s Restaurant Industry Continues to Grow in June

Canada’s restaurant industry sustained its momentum in June 2025, with total commercial foodservice sales rising by 6.4% year-over-year….

Economist’s Notebook

2025 summer continues to rise in consumer visits but remains slightly below 2024 levels

Restaurants Canada’s Consumer Dining Index rose for the third consecutive month in July, reaching 94.2 compared to 92.6…