Quick-service restaurant visits outgrew full-service for first time in Q2

The increased demand for restaurant visits in Canada continued strong through the second quarter of 2023 – the first quarter that quick-service restaurant visits growth exceeded full-service visits growth since food service began to recover post-COVID in 2021.

Visits to commercial food-service establishments were up by six per cent in the second quarter of 2023 (ended June 2023) versus the same quarter a year ago, and spending was up 10 per cent during the same time period.

Quick-service restaurant visits advanced by eight per cent, while full-service restaurant visits advanced by seven per cent. This marks the first quarter that QSR visits growth exceeded FSR visits growth since food service began to recover post-COVID in 2021.

Circana expects consumers to seek out affordable experiences and treat themselves to incremental convenient meals on the go, nights out with friends and family and cozy dinners at home in the coming months to mitigate inflation and other economic headwinds.