CHD Expert compares top 5 menu types in Canada, U.S.

Chicago – Food service data and analytics company CHD Expert has provided a glimpse of the most popular menu items in the United States and Canada and a breakdown of restaurant types based information from its Easy2FIND database.

The top five menu types in Canadian restaurants are a varied menu, with 22 per cent of the market, pizza and pasta (13 per cent), beverages (12 per cent), other Asian (10 per cent) and sandwich/soup (eight per cent), according to a news release from CHD Expert.

By comparison, the top five menu types in the U.S. are a varied menu (18 per cent), Mexican (nine per cent), pizza and pasta (eight per cent), hamburger (seven per cent) and sandwich (seven per cent).

The Canadian restaurant landscape is broken down into approximately 53 per cent full-service restaurants (where table service is provided and the bill is paid after eating) and 47 per cent limited service restaurants (where ordering and paying is generally done at a counter before food is served).

Company data indicates 92 per cent of Canadian full-service restaurants are independent and eight per cent are chains (a brand with 10 or more units in operation). The breakdown in limited-service restaurants is more evenly split, with 44 per cent independent and 56 per cent chains.

“Canada is home to a unique foodservice landscape, and has much to offer suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors in terms of growth and expansion,” said Catherine Kearns, general manager at CHD Expert The Americas.

CHD Expert provides food service market research and other services to the industry. For more information, visit www.chd-expert.com.