2022
8
The Canadian Foodservice Consumer Market Report 2022
2022-06-01T04:05:12+01:00
REPED5CA383_5415_46EF_AD89_558F3593362B
3695
151843
[{"name":"Consumer Insights","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/consumer-insights"},{"name":"Foodservice","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/foodservice"}]
Report
en_GB
“It’s been over two years of incredible challenges for the foodservice industry. There is positive momentum and broad usage, but lasting behaviour changes will delay its return to pre-pandemic levels.
  1. /
  2. All Industries
  3. /
  4. Consumer Insights
  5. /
  6. The Canadian Foodservice Consumer Market Report 2022

The Canadian Foodservice Consumer Market Report 2022

Reports - What's Included
  • Multiple Report Formats
  • Access to our Clients Portal
  • Interactive Databook
  • Custom Presentation Tool

“It’s been over two years of incredible challenges for the foodservice industry. There is positive momentum and broad usage, but lasting behaviour changes will delay its return to pre-pandemic levels.
Looking ahead, consumers’ increased comfort with digital tech opens the door for restaurants to differentiate and improve profitability with streamlined operations.”
– Scott Stewart, Associate Director, Lifestyles & Retail

This Report looks at the following areas:

  • Restaurant visits and access modes used.
  • Comparing visit occasions before and during the pandemic.
  • The tactics, if any, that consumers will use to offset rising prices.
  • Usage of restaurant tools like website, apps, coupons and loyalty programs.
  • The parts of the restaurant experience that consumers want to see be improved.
  • How digital tech is used and whether or not consumers want more.
  • The importance of teens to the industry and their top motivators.
Collapse All
  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
    • Key issues covered in this Report
    • Definition
  2. Executive Summary

    • Top takeaways
    • Market overview
      • Figure 1: Category outlook, 2022-27
    • Opportunities
    • Foodservice’s relevance is broad and stable
    • There are countless ways to differentiate
    • The pandemic has been a turning point for digital tech in restaurants
    • Challenges
    • Certain occasions are at risk of being lost long term
    • Consumers are prepared to respond to inflation
  3. The Market – By the Numbers

    • A bounce-back year was not enough, and 2022 will be similar
      • Figure 2: Foodservice sales, 2017-21
  4. Market Factors

    • COVID concerns have gone down, but are still lingering
      • Figure 3: Concern about risk of exposure to COVID-19, 2020-22
    • Restaurants are experiencing food price inflation
      • Figure 4: Consumer price index (food), 2020-22
    • Minimum wage increases create another challenge
    • Related industries are also struggling
      • Figure 5: Tourism demand in Canada, Q4 2018-Q4 2021
      • Figure 6: Cineplex theatre attendance, 2017-21
    • A return to normal for pro sports is a welcomed boost
      • Figure 7: Couchgating, 2021
  5. Competitive Strategies

    • Without COVID restrictions, companies are navigating strategically
    • Loyalty programs are becoming the norm
      • Figure 8: McDonald’s Twitter post, 2021
      • Figure 9: Starbucks Twitter post, 2021
    • Restaurants will use price increases to offset inflation
      • Figure 10: Subway Canada Instagram post, 2022
  6. The Canadian Foodservice Consumer – Fast Facts

  7. Restaurant Usage

    • Most Canadians are using restaurants
      • Figure 11: Restaurants used in the past three months, 2022
    • Young, employed Canadians are the most common restaurant patrons
      • Figure 12: Used any restaurant in the past three months, by age, parental status and employment status, 2022
      • Figure 13: McDonald’s Canada Instagram post, 2021
    • Quebec remains underdeveloped
      • Figure 14: Restaurants used in the past three months, overall vs Quebec, 2022
    • Consumers are shifting back to on-premise visits
      • Figure 15: Ways of getting meals from restaurants in the past three months, 2021 vs 2022
      • Figure 16: Ways of getting meals from restaurants in the past three months, by worry about exposure to COVID-19, 2022
  8. Restaurant Occasions before and during the Pandemic

    • Functional restaurant visits have been relatively stable
      • Figure 17: Functional restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic, 2022
      • Figure 18: Discretionary restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic, 2022
      • Figure 19: The Keg Instagram post, 2021
    • Remote workers may stop functional visits from fully rebounding
      • Figure 20: At-work restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic, by current working situation, 2022
      • Figure 21: Going to/from work restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic, by current working situation, 2022
    • COVID-19 is a factor for discretionary restaurant occasions, but not the only one
      • Figure 22: Restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic among those who are worried about COVID-19, 2022
      • Figure 23: Restaurant occasions before and during the pandemic among those who are not worried about COVID-19, 2022
    • Older consumers have had the largest decline
      • Figure 24: Discretionary restaurant occasions during the pandemic, by age, 2022
  9. How Consumers Will Handle Price Increases

    • Canadians are worried about inflation
      • Figure 25: Top concerns, 2022
      • Figure 26: Actions in response to rising prices at restaurants, 2022
    • Leveraging savings tools to offset costs
    • Chinese Canadians will be the most active with digital coupons
      • Figure 27: Coupons and loyalty programs in response to rising prices at restaurants, by race, 2022
    • Coupons and loyalty programs will increase in frequency more than reach
    • Many will look for lower prices – especially in fast food
    • Those with healthy finances are the least likely to seek out lower prices
      • Figure 28: Switching to lower prices in response to rising prices at restaurants, by financial situation, 2022
    • Adapting ordering behaviour to mitigate cost increases
    • Value meals and meat-free options to offset inflation
      • Figure 29: Ordering less food in response to rising prices at restaurants, by age, 2022
    • One in five consumers do not plan to make any changes
      • Figure 30: Would not change response to rising prices at restaurants, by employment status, student status and financial situation, 2022
  10. Using Restaurant Tools

    • Young consumers are driving the shift from sites to apps
      • Figure 31: Digital restaurant resources used in the past three months, by age, 2022
      • Figure 32: Digital restaurant resources used in the past three months, by daily social media usage, 2022
    • Leveraging digital incentives to drive mobile app usage
      • Figure 33: Digital restaurant resources used in the past three months, by loyalty and coupon usage, 2022
      • Figure 34: Tim Hortons Twitter post, 2020
    • French Quebec consumers are the least likely to use digital tools
      • Figure 35: Digital restaurant resources used in the past three months, overall vs Quebec, by language, 2022
    • Chinese Canadians use mobile apps more than others
      • Figure 36: Digital restaurant resources used in the past three months, by race, 2022
    • Self-serve kiosks remain niche and may soon prove redundant
      • Figure 37: Ways of ordering at restaurants in the past three months, by age, 2022
    • Using restaurant tools to save money
      • Figure 38: Savings used at restaurants in the past three months, by household income, 2022
    • Putting loyalty programs into perspective
    • Physical coupons still have relevance today
      • Figure 39: Coupons used at restaurants in the past three months, by age, 2022
      • Figure 40: Fido Twitter post, 2022
  11. Priorities for Restaurants

    • Improving loyalty programs is a delicate balance
      • Figure 41: Initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into, 2022
    • Active loyalty users are the most interested in seeing programs improve
      • Figure 42: Restaurants should invest resources into loyalty programs, by current loyalty program behaviours, 2022
    • The menu is a constant focal point for diners
      • Figure 43: Menu initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into, men vs women, 2022
    • Making a healthier, more sustainable menu
      • Figure 44: Menu initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into, overall vs those who believe restaurants should invest resources into sustainability, 2022
      • Figure 45: Quesada Burritos Instagram post, 2022
    • COVID precautions have become an aspect of restaurant service
      • Figure 46: Customer service initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into, by concern about risk of exposure to COVID-19, 2022
    • Restaurants that cater to older women should be particularly focused on COVID-19 safety
      • Figure 47: Restaurants should invest resources into COVID-19 safety, by age and gender, 2022
    • In-house delivery services are an opportunity to increase profitability
      • Figure 48: Restaurants should invest resources into in-house delivery service, overall vs delivery users, 2022
    • Modernizing the restaurant experience
    • Younger consumers are the most interested in these advancements
      • Figure 49: Modernization initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into, by age, 2022
      • Figure 50: Modernization initiatives restaurants should invest more resources into – 18-34s, men vs women, 2022
      • Figure 51: Tim Hortons Twitter post, 2020
    • Investment in design/décor should be reconsidered amid the pandemic
  12. The Role of Digital Tech in Restaurants

    • Consumers are conflicted about more technology
      • Figure 52: Attitudes towards innovations in restaurants (% agree), 2022
    • Young consumers are interested in innovations, but still appreciate the good old days
      • Figure 53: Attitudes towards innovations in restaurants (% agree), by age, 2022
    • Half of consumers are open to more restaurant automation
      • Figure 54: Attitudes towards automation in restaurants (% agree), by age, 2022
    • Consumers who have minimal contact with restaurants are the most open to automation
      • Figure 55: Attitudes towards automation in restaurants (% agree), by past three-month access modes, 2022
    • Automation at full-service restaurants must be more nuanced
      • Figure 56: ‘I’d like to be able to digitally pre-order at full-service/sit-down restaurants’ (% agree), by age, 2022
    • Mobile apps’ importance to foodservice
      • Figure 57: Attitudes towards restaurant mobile apps (% agree), by age, 2022
  13. Teens at Fast Food

    • Most teenagers use the foodservice industry
    • Taste, convenience and price are key decision factors
      • Figure 58: Teens: fast food restaurant decision factors, 2021
    • Low importance of mobile ordering is illustrative of its value to older consumers
  14. Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

    • Data sources
    • Consumer survey data
    • Consumer qualitative research
    • Mintel Trend Drivers
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations
    • Terms

Why Choose Mintel?

Mintel is the world’s leading market intelligence agency. We show you how consumers think today and tomorrow. As a trusted partner to industry leaders, we deliver game-changing insights to businesses across the globe, fuelling their marketing and innovation strategies that will shape the future.

Access high-quality market research with every purchase of Mintel’s consumer reports. Here’s what else is included in your report purchase:

  • Multiple Report Formats: Mintel’s reports are available in PDF and PPT formats, and are delivered straight to your inbox, so you can easily share Mintel’s market intelligence.
  • Access to Mintel’s Clients Portal: After your purchase is completed, you’ll receive an invitation to join Mintel’s Clients Portal, providing instant access to supplementary insights from Mintel’s industry experts.
  • Interactive Databook: Mintel’s bespoke consumer data is presented as an interactive website, so you can deep dive into your chosen topic, explore demographics and download specific statistics.
  • Custom Presentation Tool: Easily incorporate selected research data and analysis into a tailor-made presentation to win over clients and stakeholders.

Take a look at a sample PDF report below:

Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
£ 3,695 (Excl.Tax)
  • Instant access when you pay by credit card
  • Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports
Buy now

Is this report right for you?

From consumer reports to customised growth strategies. We have an option to suit your business requirements.

Find out more

Popular Related Reports

Global Outlook on Sustainability: A Consumer Study 2024-25

£ 5,000£ 21,600

Mintel’s 2024-25 Global Outlook on Sustainability: A Consumer Study is designed to help you understand what brands and companies should prioritise in order to educate consumers and ensure...

Find out more

Canadian Sustainable Consumer 2024

£ 3,695

That 34% of consumers see themselves as more sustainable than average – compared to just 13% who say they're less sustainable than average – illustrates the reality of...

Find out more

Canadian Foodservice Consumer Report 2024

£ 3,695

Canadians have rekindled their interest in dining out after a few tough years of lockdowns and economic uncertainties. Still, competition has been reignited and is further complicated by...

Find out more

Canadian Lifestyles Consumer Report 2024

£ 3,695

Home is where the heart is – but home is getting smaller and costlier. Housing affects the entire market, meaning all companies should consider its implications.Scott Stewart,...

Find out more

Canada Home Meal Replacement/Grocerants Market Report 2025

£ 3,695

Canada's grocery retail landscape is fiercely competitive and constantly evolving. While factors like location and competitive pricing play a key role in attracting traffic, they are not the...

Find out more

Canada Expressions of Identity Consumer Report 2025

£ 3,695

More than half of consumers believe it's important to express their identities to the world around them – yet only 28% say they prefer to stand out (while...

Find out more

Trusted by global industry leaders

We’ve found it so useful working more closely with Mintel. They helped support our recent flagship event for our top suppliers by providing a really unique viewpoint on the future of online retailing.

Nick Carroll from their Retail Team was also an excellent panelist, sharing useful and actionable consumer insights. We definitely look forward to working with Mintel again on future projects.

Zac Steele, E-Commerce Trading Development Manager, Waitrose & Partners

We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.

They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.

Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group

Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.

When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.

The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.

Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave

There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.

However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.

Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus

We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.

By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.

For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.

Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon

Is this report right for you?

From consumer reports to customised growth strategies. We have an option to suit your business requirements.

Find out more