Canadian Foodservice Sales Up 0.7%; Limited-service Restaurant Sales Down 0.1%, Report Finds

Higher sales were reported in eight provinces. Ontario (+0.8%), Quebec (+1.7%) and British Columbia (+1.0%) posted the largest increases in February. Sales in Alberta (-1.2%) and Manitoba (-0.3%) decreased.

OTTAWA -- Sales in the food services and drinking places subsector were up 0.7% to $5.8 billion in February. Sales increased at full-service restaurants (+1.5%), drinking places (+1.8%) and special food services (+0.3%). Sales at limited-service restaurants edged down 0.1%.

Also read, Sales for Canada's Oldest Full-service Restaurant Company Sizzles after Acquisitions.

Higher sales were reported in eight provinces. Ontario (+0.8%), Quebec (+1.7%) and British Columbia (+1.0%) posted the largest increases in February. Sales in Alberta (-1.2%) and Manitoba (-0.3%) decreased.

To find out more, consult the dashboard entitled Food Services and Drinking Places Sales. This web application provides access to data on the sales of food services and drinking places for Canada, the provinces and territories. This dynamic application allows users to compare provincial and territorial data with interactive maps and charts.

Sales in food services and drinking places subsector increase year over year
The figures in this section are based on unadjusted (that is, not seasonally adjusted) estimates.

Unadjusted year-over-year sales were up in the food services and drinking places subsector, increasing 4.5% in February 2018 compared with February 2017. Prices for food purchased from restaurants were up 4.0% and prices for alcoholic beverages served in licensed establishments increased 2.2% in the same period. The Consumer Price Index increase in food purchased from restaurants was the highest year-over-year increase since 2009.

Sales in each of the following industry groups increased: full-service restaurants (+5.8%), limited service restaurants (+3.5%), special food services (+3.8%) and drinking places (+1.1%). Sales increased in most of the provinces, with the largest gains in dollar terms seen in Ontario (+5.3%), British Columbia (+9.6%) and Quebec (+3.1%).

SOURCE Statistics Canada