Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry.

Restaurants are a $125 billion industry employing nearly 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada Restaurants Canada is the largest membership organization of its kind and the only national association that serves the unique needs of the foodservice industry. Our members are as diverse as the industry itself — from independent operators to regional and national

chains, including restaurants, bars, caterers, franchisors, institutions, food trucks, convenience stores and other emerging business types. Restaurant Canada is also here to help our Business Associates showcase their products and services, and ensure they stay on top of the latest trends that affect customers. We help support your success by providing invaluable research and insights, advocacy on key issues, updates on industry news, networking and trade events, as well as cost-savings programs to keep restaurants competitive.

08/13/2026

🏆 Announcing the 2026 Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence recipients! 🎉

✨ Leadership Award | Hemant Bagwhani (), Chef and Restaurateur - Presented by

✨ Culinary Award | Emily Butcher, Executive Chef and Owner, .wpg, Winnipeg MB - Presented by

✨ Emerging Leader Award | Jessica Kwon (), Head Chef, Cactus Club Cafe, Richmond, B.C. - Presented by

✨ Social Impact Award | - Presented by

✨ Legacy Award | Jim Treliving, Chairman and Owner, Boston Pizza International () - Presented by Restaurants Canada

✨ Environmental Stewardship Award | .saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK - Presented by

Join us as we celebrate and learn from this year's Award winner panel at One Table — an evening of connection, collaboration and celebration on September 29th, 2026 at The Warehouse Event Venue in Toronto. 🥂

🍸 🍽️ Hosted by , the evening begins with an elevated cocktail networking reception followed by a seated dinner featuring an advance presentation of Foodservice Facts—our flagship annual industry forecast, a fireside chat with Legacy Award winner Jim Treliving and a live panel with the 2026 Award winners.

Read our full announcement here: https://bit.ly/4g3jqQE

Behind every meal served is an industry creating opportunity.As Canada's fourth-largest private sector employer and numb...
08/12/2026

Behind every meal served is an industry creating opportunity.

As Canada's fourth-largest private sector employer and number 1 source of first-time jobs, the foodservice sector is a major economic force — creating jobs, generating careers, building skills, and helping communities thrive from coast to coast to coast.

That's the power of foodservice.

👉 Follow us for more insights on the foodservice industry and to stay up to date on Restaurants Canada’s advocacy work.

Restaurants were the biggest creator of youth jobs in July compared to last year, according to Statistics Canada's lates...
08/07/2026

Restaurants were the biggest creator of youth jobs in July compared to last year, according to Statistics Canada's latest Labour Force Survey. In the first 7 months of 2026, the restaurant and accommodation industry employed an average of 51,400 more young people than during the same period last year, a 11.4% increase, with restaurants accounting for 85% of those jobs.

Restaurants are Canada's leading source of first-time jobs and career-building opportunities, representing one in six youth jobs.

As youth unemployment remains a national challenge, investing in restaurants means investing in the next generation of Canada's workforce.

Restaurants want to invest—but today's tax policies are getting in the way.Our latest edition of The Quarterly finds tha...
08/05/2026

Restaurants want to invest—but today's tax policies are getting in the way.

Our latest edition of The Quarterly finds that 73% of operators say tax policies are limiting investment in their businesses, while more than seven in ten say faster tax write-offs would make them more likely to invest in growth.

Read the full report for more insights into Canada's restaurant industry here: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/research/the-quarterly-q2-2026/

08/04/2026

One Table is an evening of connection, collaboration and celebration built for foodservice and hospitality leaders and changemakers.

On the menu:
🥂 An elevated food, drink and guest experience
📊 An exclusive first look at Foodservice Facts 2026
💬 A candid panel with our 2026 Awards of Excellence winners, hosted by food writer and TV personality Pay Chen.

Tickets are going fast! Reserve your ticket or table today: https://onetable.restaurantscanada.org/

✨ Restaurants Canada members get special pricing - check your inbox for details!

🗓️ September 29, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. at The Warehouse Event Venue, North York, ON

_____________________________________

Presented with support from Uber Eats

Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence Sponsors:
PepsiCo | Garland Canada | Olymel | Groupex Canada | Air Canada

Restaurants are a vital part of Canada’s food system. They purchase more than half of Canada’s agricultural production a...
08/01/2026

Restaurants are a vital part of Canada’s food system. They purchase more than half of Canada’s agricultural production and spend $30 billion annually on food and beverages from Canadian producers, making restaurants an essential partner for Canadian farmers, food processors and distributors.

Today, we celebrate the people, places and flavours that make Canadian food extraordinary—and honour Anita Stewart, whose vision for Food Day Canada showed how sharing a meal made with local ingredients can bring communities together.

Food Day Canada is a chance to celebrate Canadian food by supporting Canadian farmers, food producers and the restaurants that bring their products to tables across the country. Shop, cook and dine Canadian.

Read more on Restaurants Canada's recommendations for strengthening food security in Canada here: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/submissions/feeding-canada-together/

How is Canada's restaurant industry performing in 2026?The latest edition of The Quarterly finds that 64% of restaurant ...
07/31/2026

How is Canada's restaurant industry performing in 2026?

The latest edition of The Quarterly finds that 64% of restaurant companies report lower profitability than a year ago, while 46% have experienced a decline in guest traffic. The report also explores how foodservice sales are performing across every province.

Read the full report for more insights into Canada's restaurant industry here: https://www.restaurantscanada.org/research/the-quarterly-q2-2026/

Restaurants Canada President & CEO, Kelly Higginson, participated today in a discussion with federal and provincial Mini...
07/30/2026

Restaurants Canada President & CEO, Kelly Higginson, participated today in a discussion with federal and provincial Ministers and officials about reducing barriers to interprovincial trade.

Many of our members serve customers across provincial boundaries. The challenge is delivering the same restaurant service efficiently and profitably across the country while navigating multiple provincial regulatory systems. This is an opportunity not to lower standards but to better recognize equivalent regulatory outcomes for food safety, environmental protection and consumer confidence, without unnecessary duplication that adds cost.

We are committed to working with federal and provincial governments to ensure that the restaurant industry - a critical part of Canada’s food system - can continue to be a major contributor to the national economy. Restaurants welcome 23.7 million customer visits every day, generate $125 billion in annual sales, contribute nearly 4% of Canada’s GDP, and employ 1.2 million Canadians, making our industry Canada’s fourth-largest private-sector employer.

Ontario Restaurant Operators: Join Restaurants Canada and Smart Serve Ontario for an interactive webinar: Smart Serve, A...
07/24/2026

Ontario Restaurant Operators: Join Restaurants Canada and Smart Serve Ontario for an interactive webinar: Smart Serve, AGCO & Alcohol Service Compliance, on Wednesday, July 29 at 2 PM ET.

Created specifically for Ontario operators, this session will answer the questions you're facing every day. We'll cover Smart Serve certification requirements for different roles, common AGCO compliance pitfalls, operator responsibilities, and practical strategies for maintaining compliance—even during staffing shortages and high employee turnover.

Register today: https://events.restaurantscanada.org/SmartServeAGCOAlcoholServiceComplianceOntarioMembers #/

Order your tickets or table of 8 to attend Restaurants Canada's signature event for industry leaders and changemakers at...
07/23/2026

Order your tickets or table of 8 to attend Restaurants Canada's signature event for industry leaders and changemakers at advance ticket pricing available until July 31.

September 29, the people shaping will pull up a chair at One Table—the premium reception and dinner from Restaurants Canada, presented with support from Uber Eats.

Hosted by Pay Chen, following a dedicated cocktail networking reception, guests will enjoy a special preview of Foodservice Facts, Restaurants Canada's flagship industry economic forecast, over a seated dinner as the 2026 Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence winners are honoured and take the stage for a live panel discussion.

ONE TABLE | September 29, 2026 | 5:30 p.m.

The Warehouse Event Venue | North York, ON

Register now at onetable.restaurantscanada.org

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14169238416

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