November sales moderate to weakest growth since February
- A sharp slowdown in spending at full-service restaurants held total commercial foodservice sales to 4.0% growth in November.
- Adjusted for menu inflation, real sales slowed to 0.6% in November.
- Foodservice spending in Manitoba rebounded in November following weak spending at the start of 2025.
Restaurant sales cooled sharply in November, in line with recent Angus Reid data showing that a growing share of Canadians are pulling back on discretionary spending in the latter part of 2025. Overall, nominal commercial foodservice sales rose by 4.0% in November, following a 6.0% increase in October. As a result, November represents the smallest monthly increase since February.
The weaker performance in November was driven by a sharp slowdown in spending at full-service restaurants. Nationally, full-service restaurant sales decelerated to 3.9% growth in November, following a robust 8.4% increase in October. The slowdown was felt across most provinces, with the weakest gains recorded in Ontario (+3.1%), New Brunswick (+2.5%), and Quebec (+0.2%).
In contrast, growth in quick-service restaurant sales was relatively unchanged, rising 4.2% in November compared to 4.1% growth in October.
Provincial results varied widely across the country. After a weak start to the year, Manitoba saw the strongest growth (+9.3%), while softer consumer spending restrained foodservice sales in Quebec (+1.6%). These differences highlight how local economic conditions and consumer demand continue to shape restaurant performance.
When inflation is taken into account, real restaurant sales increased by a tepid 0.6%.
Overall, the November data suggests the industry is entering a more cautious phase. While sales remain higher than last year, real growth is limited as affordability concerns continue to weigh on consumer spending.
Explore Restaurants Canada’s Restaurant Industry at a Glance dashboard here.
For the latest foodservice data, also check out the new Bite-Sized Weekly Restaurant Trends for updates on same-store sales growth, number of transactions, and average transaction size. Explore the dashboard here.
As a Research Analyst with Restaurants Canada, Sara Hamdy contributes to a research program that helps make Restaurants Canada a trusted source of insight for and about Canada’s $124-billion foodservice industry. Sara develops and maintains analytical reports and interactive dashboards that present key economic and market trends in a clear and engaging way for members and the public.
Her work supports Restaurants Canada’s advocacy and industry initiatives by transforming complex data into accessible information that guides operators, policymakers, and media.
