The 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report
Insights built for Canadian realities. Discover the challenges, trends, and strategies shaping full service restaurants across Canada.
Giving Canadian Restaurants a Voice
We partnered with Maru/Matchbox to survey 600 independent full service operators to reveal the state of the Canadian restaurant industry. This report captures the challenges operators faced, how they adapted, and where opportunities lie – built specifically for the Canadian market.
Want the full North American picture? Explore our 2026 American State of Restaurants Report to see how U.S. operators are navigating similar challenges.
Strong Margins and Optimism Despite Rising Costs
Nearly one-third (29%) of operators said food and inventory costs were their single biggest financial strain, followed by rent and labour costs. Despite these pressures, operators achieved solid profit margins and 82% remain optimistic about the future. Discover the strategies behind this resilience and how operators are positioning themselves for growth in 2026.
Labour Costs Climb as Technology Helps Operators Adapt
Rising labour costs are one of the most significant challenges facing Canadian restaurants Nearly half of operators (44%) said overall labour costs are their biggest staffing challenge. Discover the tools and strategies that are delivering results and how operators are tackling widespread staff shortages.
Tariffs Reshape Food Costs While Operators Build Resilience
Tariffs have hit the industry hard. 79% say tariffs and trade restrictions contributed to their restaurants inventory challenges this past year. How much more are restaurants spending? 37% more on average, with around half (51%) spending between 21-50% more. Discover the dual strategy operators are using to combat rising costs.
Off-Premise Sales Jump as Operators Balance Dual Channels
Operators saw an 18% increase on average in overall sales after implementing online ordering. With this increase came an acceptance of multiple platforms to reach customers and Uber Eats and DoorDash lead in adoption. Discover what factors operators prioritize when choosing platforms and how the most successful restaurants are balancing quality across both dine-in and off-premise channels.
Digital Presence Becomes Non-Negotiable for Restaurant Discovery
Operators are meeting diners where they are – on social media, specifically Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, to ensure their restaurant is discoverable online. With the vast majority active on social media and maintaining websites, digital presence has become table stakes. Discover how operators are strategically shaping their digital strategy based on their venue type and more.
Technology Investment Remains Strong Despite Rising Costs
Implementing technology to work behind the scenes efficiently proves beneficial for Canadian operators, with nearly half (48%) reporting they’ve saved time from automating. Technology investment remains strong despite rising costs, with operators switching POS systems and planning increased tech spending. AI sentiment is also overwhelmingly positive, with operators deploying it for back of house efficiency. Discover which technologies are delivering the biggest ROI and where operators are investing next.
Download the 2026 State of Restaurants Report
Canadian operators finally have data built for their reality. For a complete picture of restaurant industry trends in Canada, download the 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report for free today and discover the strategies shaping success in 2026.
Methodology
We partnered with research firm Maru/Matchbox again this year to survey 600 full service restaurant owners, presidents, and area/general managers across Canada with an added focus on three key cities: Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Our research was conducted from October 2 to October 25, 2025. The statistically significant survey results are accurate 19 times out of 20.
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