Visits to Canadian restaurants and foodservice outlets up 6% year-over-year in Q3, with traffic to quick service restaurants--representing the bulk of all Canadian foodservice traffic--up 6% year-over-year, according to The NPD Group

Sample article from our Food & Beverage

November 16, 2022 (press release) –

Canada’s foodservice industry has shown promising recovery over the past year; however, growth slowed in the quarter ending September compared to a better-performing quarter last year, reports The NPD Group*. Visits to Canadian restaurants and foodservice outlets were up 6% in the quarter compared to a year ago, when traffic was up 12%. Consumer spending was up 10% in the quarter ending September 2022 compared to a 20% increase in the same quarter last year.  

“The closer we get to full recovery of the foodservice visits lost during the pandemic, the slower growth will be,” says Vince Sgabellone, NPD foodservice industry analyst. “Additionally, the slower growth in the third quarter indicates the wave of pent-up demand for restaurants immediately after the lockdown may be colliding with the economic headwinds.” 

Traffic to quick service restaurants (QSRs), representing the bulk of all Canadian foodservice traffic, was up 6% in the quarter compared to last year. QSR consumer dollars grew by 9% compared to the same quarter a year ago. Looking at the year ending September 2022 performance for a longer trend view, all QSR dayparts grew traffic, led by morning meal and lunch. The morning meal, which includes breakfast and morning snack, increased visits by 13%, visits at lunch rose by 10%, supper traffic was up 9%, and P.M. snack visits were up 7% compared to the period a year ago. QSR customers’ preference to dine in contributed to 82% growth in on-premises dining compared to a 2% decline in off-premises traffic compared to last year, according to NPD’s daily tracking of the Canadian foodservice industry.  

Full service restaurant (FSR) visits were up 10% in the quarter ending September compared to the same quarter a year ago. Consumer spending at FSRs grew by 13% in the quarter over last year. Like QSRs, all FSR dayparts, led by the morning meal, increased traffic in the year ending September 2022 compared to a year ago. FSR visits at morning meal rose by 56%, lunch traffic increased by 37%, supper grew by 26%, and P.M. snack by 34% in the twelve months ending September 2022 compared to a year ago. These significant traffic gains are versus declines in the year ending September 2021. On-premises dining at FSRs increased by 87%, and off-premises declined by 4% versus a year ago.   

“Despite the current headwinds, the biggest news is that the foodservice recovery endures,” says Sgabellone. “Canadian consumers are continuing to return to restaurants, helping to reduce the deficit of visits that have accumulated since the start of the pandemic.”  

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Chelsey Quick
Chelsey Quick
- VP Client Success -

We offer built-to-order food & beverage coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.