2026 Restaurant Industry Statistics & Trends in Canada

The restaurant sector has been going through a tumultuous time in 2026 given the labour costs, ever-changing trends, and integration of tech. But this also makes it an equally interesting time to tap into different systems to make your establishment profitable. You have access to more resources than ever, and it can be a boon for your business if used correctly.

In recent years, we've also seen a huge spike in online ordering, a new focus on reducing food waste, the adoption of server handhelds, and the implementation of robots in restaurants. From new trends to messy moments, 2026 has already introduced a lot of it in the restaurant industry.

However, if you’re worried or curious about how to approach the food business, we’ve got your back. Let’s first ensure that you’re still on course. And if you aren’t, by the end of the article, you’ll get a glimpse of what you can fix and how you should adapt. You’ll find plenty of resources within the restaurant management statistics system for Canada.

What are the Trends in the Restaurant Industry?

The Canadian restaurant industry is spoilt for choices with changing trends, accessible food options, and competitive pricing. The consumers who love trying out new foods have it all on a silver platter. But as a restaurant owner and manager, you need to keep a balance between what’s trending and what makes you money. This will be of utmost support when you’re planning and preparing for budgeting, staffing, training, and technology. 

For example, online ordering and delivery that started flourishing post-pandemic is still seeing massive spikes. Restaurateurs with knowledge of trends and statistics know that purchasing the necessary hardware and software to support online orders, delivery, and touchless menus will succeed over their competition. 

To make this easier for you, we’ve collated a list of restaurant industry statistics and trends from reports, articles, and studies across the internet to give you a quick overview of what’s happening currently. Despite being a non-exhaustive list, it will be helpful for restaurateurs and restaurant managers when they’re making key decisions and adapting to trends or changing the structure of their restaurant.

Restaurant Economy Statistics

These statistics focus on the economical conditions and trends that the restaurant industry’s sales, dining, and labour costs influence.

1. Canadians generate $125 billion in annual sales by visiting restaurants, thus contributing 3.9% to the GDP. (Source)

2. 49% of the operators report lower sales numbers as compared to 2025. (Source)

3. The hospitality/food-service sector is the fourth-largest private sector employer with 1.2 million workers. (Source)

4. When it comes to economic output, every $1 spent in restaurants yields $2.25, higher than the national average. (Source)

5. 54% of operators reported fewer guests, and 71% reported declining profitability. (Source)

6. 36% of operators in 2026 are operating at a loss or breaking even. This is triple the levels from 2019. (Source)

7. According to the Toast report, happy staff are five times more likely to stay the course. (Toast)

Restaurant Consumer Statistics

This section highlights the changing consumer habits, the recent trends in food consumption, and what to look out for when it comes to a newer audience.

1. 65% of quick-service consumers agreed that they preferred to order more food if it came with a bundled offer or a value meal. (Source)

2. 40% of consumers are expecting more opportunities for spontaneous dining and experiential experiences in 2026. (Source)

3. If the food is great, Canadian customers are willing to spend ~28 minutes in a queue as a walk-in. (Source)

4. Gen-Z consumers hold a lion’s share when it comes to spending on eating out. (Source)

5. There’s an uptick in special occasion dining for 2026. Events like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day especially have seen an increase year-on-year. (Source)

Restaurant Food Statistics

These statistics define how and when you should tap into trends and what current diners are looking for when it comes to food-related experiences. 

1. Experiential dining is more than a trend now; there’s a 67% increase year-on-year in 2025. (Source)

2. In every cohort under 45 years of age, chicken, burgers, and sandwiches are at the top of the fast food market share. (Source)

3. There’s been a growing demand for healthier food options, especially plant-based items. (Source)

4. The trending cuisines in 2025 included contemporary American, Asian, and Greek. (Source)

5. Chicken dishes still top the QSR protein rankings in Canada in 2026. (Source)

Restaurant Tech & Payment Statistics

For this article, restaurant technology trends include statistics on POS software, payment processing, guest interaction tools and feedback tools, integration of AI, and what restaurant owners are looking for in technology products.

1. One in four operators said they would be open to adding kitchen automations and AI-driven inventory systems. (Toast)

2. 77% of restaurant operators say they’ve started researching and implementing technology they were curious about in the previous year. (Source)

3. Smart kitchen technology, like connecting equipment to an IoT monitoring dashboard, is expected to have reduced downtimes. (Source)

4. 27% of Canadian customers aim to use AI platforms like ChatGPT or Perplexity to discover newer restaurants and make reservations in 2026. (Source)

5. There’s a clear increase in the usage of online payment methods in Canadian restaurants. 51% of restaurants now use contactless payments, and 21% accept mobile payments. (Toast)

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