Restaurant and other food-service sales increased 0.3% in August to $8.9 billion, according to October 29 Statistics Canada data.
Another increase in dollar sales
Statistics Canada reported October 29 that food-services and drinking-places sales reached approximately $8.9 billion in August 2026, up 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis. The agency said it was the eighth consecutive monthly increase. Full-service restaurants recorded the largest increase in dollar terms, with that segment's sales rising 0.3%; limited-service eating places increased 0.2% and special food services grew 0.4%. Drinking-place sales declined 0.6%. The headline dollar amount measures sales revenue, not the number of restaurant visits or profits earned by operators.
Results varied across the provinces
British Columbia recorded a 0.6% monthly gain, Ontario grew 0.4%, Alberta 0.3% and Quebec 0.2%. Sales decreased in Saskatchewan by 0.7% and Nova Scotia by 0.8%. The provincial data show why a positive Canadian total should not be interpreted as the same direction for every region. Different customer demand, visitor activity and business conditions can influence local results, and monthly movements are often small relative to the size of a provincial sector.
Revenue growth is not the same as more meals
Statistics Canada says prices paid for food purchased at restaurants were 3.1% higher in August than a year earlier on an unadjusted basis. Because the reported sales figures use current dollars, a portion of an increase in revenue can reflect higher prices rather than increased quantities of food or customer traffic. The data should not be treated as an inflation-adjusted measure of restaurant output or as proof of stronger profitability. Future releases can help show whether the modest monthly gains are sustained.
Sources & transparency
Statistics Canada — Food services and drinking places, August 2026 (released October 29)Original CDN News coverage. Sources are linked for reference.
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