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Economist’s Notebook

Key industry highlights from our Chief Economist, Chris Elliott’s research, data, and insights.

Economist’s Notebook

New U.S. Tariffs Add to Cost Pressures for Canada’s Restaurant Industry

With new U.S. tariffs now in place and Canada having announced its retaliatory response, the economic consequences of…

Economist’s Notebook

Navigating Canadians’ Cost-of-Living Concerns and Rising Restaurant Operating Costs

With the cost of living remaining the number one concern for Canadians, a growing number of restaurants are…

Economist’s Notebook

High Gas Prices Add Pressure on Restaurants

The conflict in the Middle East has contributed to a sharp increase in gasoline prices this year. On…

Economist’s Notebook

How Rising Uncertainty is Impacting the Restaurant Industry

Rising economic uncertainty is making it harder for restaurant operators to confidently plan and forecast their businesses. In…

Economist’s Notebook

Foodservice sales show uneven growth in early 2026 amid consumer pressures

In the first two months of the year, commercial foodservice sales in Canada showed mixed performance, according to…

Economist’s Notebook

Restaurants Canada’s CDI Continues to Underperform in March 2026

Restaurants Canada’s Consumer Dining Index (CDI) continued to underperform in March 2026, coming in at 85.9, down 6.4%…

Economist’s Notebook

Restaurant Sales Start 2026 Strong, but Volatility Persists

Restaurant sales started 2026 on a stronger-than-expected note, with year-over-year growth of 5.5% in January compared to January…

Economist’s Notebook

Your Weekly Snapshot of Canada’s Restaurant Industry

Restaurants Canada’s Bite-Sized Weekly Restaurant Trends dashboard provides a clear, weekly snapshot of restaurant performance across Canada, helping…

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…