Foodservice Facts 2021

Foodservice Facts is Canada’s most trusted foodservice industry research and insights guide. This special edition of the Foodservice Facts looks at how foodservice operators are adapting to survive the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. 

From the uneven recovery in sales in different segments and provinces, to changing consumer preferences on when and how they dine out, this year’s report provides a detailed analysis of how COVID-19 has shaped and transformed Canada’s foodservice landscape.

This year’s report is packed with a variety of industry experts on what key opportunities exist to keep your business running during these turbulent times.

Given the devastating impact COVID-19 is having on Canada’s foodservice industry, this edition of the Foodservice Facts is the most important Restaurants Canada has ever done. Prior to the pandemic, foodservice generated over $95 billion in sales in 2019 and was on track to surpass $100 billion in sales in 2021. Overall foodservice sales are not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2022 at the earliest.

This year’s report will help you make informed decisions as your business negotiates the challenging road ahead.

Report Highlights

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen the devastating impact of the pandemic across the entire foodservice industry. At the same time, there has also been an incredible amount of innovation as foodservice operators look for new and sometimes unconventional ways to survive all this.   

A staggering 97% of restaurant operators said they made some changes to their business to survive.  While many changed their hours of operation (70%) and streamlined their menus (54%), others increased their use of social media (51%), added new technology (37%), began selling meal kits (18%) and sold groceries (13%). Many of these changes are permanent. Indeed, 76% of restaurant operators agree that Canada’s foodservice industry has been forever changed.

Table of Contents

• Canada’s Restaurant Industry: State of the Nation Report
  • Foodservice Employment
• Long Term Forecast
• Commercial Foodservice Segments
• Daypart Trends
• Average Check Size
• A Look at the Provinces
• Restaurant Recovery Special Section: Putting the Pieces Together
  • Social Media
  • Grocery / Meal Kits
  • Health & Safety
• On- and Off-premise Trends
  • Delivery
  • Ghost Kitchens
  • Technology
• Retail Food Sales
• Menu Prices
• Profitability
• Tourism
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Food Trends
  • Top 10 Food Trends
  • Top 10 Beverage Trends
• Chef Trends
• Insights From Our Partners