20 Tasty Canadian Fast Food Industry Statistics [Updated in 2024]

Table of Contents

As more and more Canadians turn to healthy options, fast-food chains are introducing new items on the menu. 

Still:

Nothing can replace the classics – burgers and soft drinks, coffee and donuts. Canadian fast food industry statistics show our favourite staples are as strong as ever, with the drive-thru and delivery service taking over from dining at the location.

At the same time:

Our eating choices are still heavily influenced by marketing, especially by online offers and social media.  

With that in mind, let’s have a look at the facts and figures.

 2024 Updates:

  1. Fast food restaurants in Canada experienced an 8.2% market growth in 2022.
    (Ibis World)
  2. The market size of Canadian fast food restaurants reached $29.8 billion in 2022.
    (Ibis World)
  3. In terms of market size, the fast food rastaurant industry ranks 2nd in Canada and it is the 36th largest industry in the country.
    (Ibis World)

Top Ten Canadian Fast Food Industry Statistics (Editor’s Choice)

  • The Canadian fast food industry is worth $27 billion.
  • There are 31,577 fast food locations in Canada.
  • There are 758 fast food restaurants in Toronto.
  • The street vendors market in Canada is worth $325 million.
  • 394,134 people work in the Canadian fast-food industry.
  • 3.7% of Canadians would like to open a quick-service restaurant.
  • Up to 28.3% of Canadians have worked in the food industry at some point.
  • Around 16% of Canadians eat out every day.
  • Up to 40% of Canadians eat breakfast on the go.

General Fast Food Statistics in Canada 

Fast food is something that we have all fell victim to, no matter how unhealthy and dangerous it is for our bodies. Let’s go over some essential fast food statistics in Canada.

1. The Canada fast food market share is estimated at $27 billion.

(Source: Food Truck Empire, Ibis World)

Canadian fast food statistics reveal the Canadian fast food industry is worth an impressive $27 billion in 2021. It is expected to grow by 0.8% compared to the previous year.

Canadian fast food growth statistics show the growth rate for this industry has been 1.3% from 2016 to 2021.

2. There are around 10.3 fast food restaurants per 10,000 people.

(Source: Food Truck Empire)

Canadian fast food industry statistics for 2021 show there are 31,577 fast food stores around the country. The biggest fast-food chain is Tim Hortons, with 4,268 locations around the country, followed by Subway with 3,148 stores.

Ontario is the leading province by the number of fast-food establishments, with 5,766 locations. Toronto is the fast-food capital with 758 locations.

3. The street vendor market in Canada is worth $325 million.

(Source: Ibis World)

2,093 small businesses operate in this category, employing 2,483 people. According to food truck industry statistics for Canada, this industry has no companies with a market share of more than 5%. The expected growth of 1.3% for 2020 was revised to a 19.4% decline because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4.The restaurant industry could lose between $21.7 billion and $44.8 billion because of the pandemic.

(Source: Food Truck Empire)

In 2019, the food service reached over $93 billion in sales and was expected to go over $100 billion before the pandemic hit. But as it is, the Canadian fast food industry during COVID 19 could lose anywhere up to a whopping $44.8 billion in yearly sales.

Up to 60% of Canadians reported having had an interest in ordering from ghost kitchens.

During 2020, at the height of the epidemic, drive-thru sales rose. Only 4% of orders were in-store, compared to 50% in 2019.

5. The annual growth of fast food online deliveries is 7.7%.

(Source: Statista)

Canadian fast food delivery statistics show online food delivery is expected to reach US$2,780 million in 2021. The impressive annual growth rate of 7.7% will lead to a market of US$3,472 million in 2024.

The restaurant-to-customer delivery segment will reach US$1,745 million. An estimated 14.5 million Canadians will use online deliveries in 2021, which will helpfully reduce food waste, among other things.

6. 394,134 people work in the fast-food industry.

(Source: Food Truck Empire)

Canadian fast food industry numbers show 43,300 new jobs will be created between 2019 and 2028. In 2018, the average fast food restaurant manager was 44 years old and could count on retiring at 64 on average.

7. Around 3.7% of Canadians would choose to open a quick-service restaurant.

(Source: CRFA)

The fast food industry Canada facts show up to 34% of Canadians report dreaming of opening a restaurant, and 3.7% are thinking of quick service. Casual and family-style restaurants are the most popular choice, and up to 32.7% would choose that.

What’s more:

A bar or a pub is the preferred choice of 23.4%, a coffee shop of 13%, and a lounge of 11.1%. Next, 3.7% would like to open a quick-service restaurant. Finally, some 6.7% of respondents listed “other” as their choice.

person prepping fast food

8. Around 28.3% of Canadians have worked directly in the restaurant or food service industry.

(Source: CRFA)

Almost half of all Canadians have at some point worked in the food service industry or someone in their family does, directly or indirectly.

And that’s not all:

  • 28.3% say they worked directly in the restaurant or food service industry.
  • 10.5% have an immediate family member who works in the service industry.
  • 3.7% say they are currently employed in the restaurant or food service industry.
  • 2.6% report they or someone in their immediate family works in a business heavily dependent on the restaurant or food service industry.
  • 55% say no one in their family works or depends on the restaurant or food service industry.

9. Up to 80% of respondents see Canadian fast food restaurants as an important first job source.

(Source: CRFA)

Eight in ten Canadians see the restaurant business and with it, the fast-food industry, as an important source of first jobs. Click To Tweet

They also recognize other important roles of the restaurant sector:

  • 70% believe the restaurant industry is important for the economy.
  • 66% recognize the importance of restaurants for tourism, with results being 81% and 75% in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
  • 51% think this is a good industry to get work experience in.

Canadians’ Attitude Towards Fast Food

How do Canadians feel about fast food? Let’s find out!

10. Around 16% of Canadians say they eat out every day.

(Source: CRFA)

Up to 63% of Canadians find eating out a luxury. Households report spending 24% of the budget at restaurants. One in ten meals comes from a restaurant, and 60% of Canadians say they buy food in restaurants once a week or more. Some 16% buy food and snacks from restaurants every day.

11. Younger people buy food and snacks around two times a week, Canadian fast food industry statistics reveal. 

(Source: CRFA)

Older people buy meals and snacks around 1.7 times a week, while 18 to 34 year-olds buy a meal or a snack two times a week on average. Ontario and Atlantic Canada have a habit of snacking more, and people in these provinces eat out twice a week, while this number is 1.6 times in Western Canada and 1.4 times in Quebec.

12. Up to 40% of Canadians like to eat breakfast on the go.

(Source: Euromonitor, CRFA)

Fast food consumption statistics in Canada show four in ten Canadians like to have their breakfast outside the house once they have already started the day. They cite a lack of time or interest in preparing a meal first thing in the morning. Additionally, some 34% say they don’t want to cook and opt for the convenience of a breakfast on the go, especially when it comes to Millennials.  

13. Around 11% of people reported eating out because it was good value for money.

(Source: CRFA)

Looking at people’s reasons for not eating at home, whether you will eat out for convenience or indulgence seems to depend on age, too. 18-to-34-year-olds mostly eat out because they’re in a rush, as constantly being on the go is the dominant lifestyle. For those 35 and older, it’s more about treating themselves.

What’s more:

Around 11% reported eating out because it’s value for money, and 7% saw it as a way to entertain family and friends affordably.

14. Some 39% of people consider themselves foodies and like to try new food. 

(Source: CRFA)

Nearly four in ten people say they like trying out new food and could be considered foodies, 

And it’s more the case with the younger group, from 18 to 24. More than a third, 37% of people, like to try new restaurants, and 26% say eating out is their favourite activity. One person in six identifies as a hobby diner.

15. Around 29% of respondents find having a healthy option when eating out is important.

(Source: Healthline, CRFA)

Healthy options are available even without organic or locally grown food. Nearly every restaurant, even those serving only fast food, will have salads or soups or a variety of vegetables to offer. With some attention, it turns out nearly all restaurants can be healthy fast food restaurants in Canada. Some, however, are healthier than others.

Now:

When eating out, 29% of respondents reported healthy options are important. Searching for healthy options when eating out is still not as widespread as the new eating trends would have us believe, though. In fact, only 16% of people look for locally grown products, and 7% look for organic food.

Check this out:

Chipotle offers food made from organic, local ingredients, with meats from naturally raised animals. In this Mexican grill restaurant, you can find salads with or without meat of different kinds, vegetables, rice, guacamole, as well as tacos and burritos.

Ruby Tuesday offers meat and fish with a side of baked potatoes and fresh vegetables. 

At Panera Bread, you can find some healthy soups and salad.

 Although Wendy’s mainly focuses on burgers and fries, you can still have chicken salads and chicken wraps. 

The same goes for McDonald’s and similar food chains, which offer at least salad and chicken options. These can be healthy, provided you mind the dressings or avoid them altogether.

16. Up to 84% of fast food restaurants serve unhealthy food.

(Source: Food Truck Empire)

Fast food industry trends in Canada show 72% of fast food restaurants serve unhealthy drinks, and 84% serve unhealthy food. Still, 84% of parents take their children to a fast food restaurant at least once a week. 

Between the ages of 13 and 17, children consume anywhere from 800 to 1200 calories in one sitting, while over 30% of the meal calories come from saturated fats and sugar. Only 17% of the meals on fast food restaurant menus can be considered healthy.

84% serve unhealthy food in canada

17. 9.3% of the caloric intake of a teenage boy comes from fast food.

(Source: Food Truck Empire)

The average Canadian gets 6.3% of his daily food intake from fast food. Teenage boys eat the most fast food the most, with 9.3% of their daily intake classified as fast food. The category that consumes fast food the least is women over 70, with only 1.9 of daily caloric intake coming from fast food.

Next:

Over 50% of students in grades 5 to 8 eat at a fast-food restaurant once a week or more. The corresponding figure for those in grades 9 to 12 in Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island in 70%.

8.8% of the daily caloric intake of boys aged two to eight comes from fast food.

Those who eat less fruit and vegetables, binge drink, or don’t take supplements have reported eating more fast food, as do people with higher BMI. Click To Tweet

18. Around 7.14% of consumers have been influenced by online marketing to visit a fast food restaurant.

(Source: Brandon Gaille)

Canadian fast food industry statistics show that just over 7% of regular fast food restaurant visitors reported that they have been influenced by marketing in some way before they went out and bought a meal. Whether it was an online flyer, Canada fast food coupons, an app notification, or an email, some sort of digital message caught their attention and pushed them to order.

What’s more:

Some 8.9% say what they saw on the social media of a fast-food business made them visit, and 9.78% of businesses said they use social media to share awareness about their locations. The most used platforms for this are Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.


Fast Food Prices in Canada

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get down to what matters the most – fast food prices in Canada. Let’s dig in.

19. The cheapest small fast food meal is a McDonald’s hamburger, $3.19.

(Source: Places To Eat Near Me)

The least you will have to pay to get a burger is $3.19 at McDonald’s. The most is $21.99 for a Panormous Pizza at Subway or Deluxe X-Large at Domino’s.

Here are some of the other prices in Canada’s fast-food restaurants:

McDonald’s Prices in Canada

  • A small meal, hamburger: $3.19
  • Medium meal, cheeseburger: $3.49
  • A large meal, Big Mac: $5.19
  • Medium fries: $2.39
  • Side garden salad: $2.39
  • Apple Pie: $0.99
  • Muffin: $1.19
  • Soft drinks, medium: $1.99
  • Chicken & bacon signature McWrap: $7.89

Chick-Fil-A Prices in Canada

  • A small meal, chicken sandwich: $3.39
  • Medium meal, chicken deluxe sandwich: $3.99
  • A large meal, grilled chicken cool wrap: $5.85
  • Medium Waffle Potato Fries: $1.79
  • Side salad: $1.29
  • Kid’s meal: $5.00
  • Icecream cone, small: $1.29
  • Soft drinks, medium: $1.75
  • Grilled chicken club sandwich combo: $9.15

Subway Food Prices in Canada

  • A small meal, 6-inch ham: $4.29
  • Medium meal, 6-inch roast beef: $5.50
  • A large meal, turkey breast & ham: $5.50
  • Chips, bag: $1.50
  • Salad, veggie delite: $6.50
  • Special kids’ pak: $5.99
  • Dessert, cookie: $0.75
  • Soft drinks, medium: $2.25
  • Maximum, 12-inch lobster sub: $14.99

Pizza Hut prices Canada

  • Pepperoni Lover’s Pizza, small: $11.99
  • Pepperoni Lover’s Pizza, medium: $13.99
  • Pepperoni Lover’s Pizza, large: $16.99
  • Fries: $3.99
  • Special, Canadian P’zone: $8.99
  • Dessert, Cinnaparts: $4.39
  • Soft drinks, Can: $1.25
  • Any Panormous Pizza: $21.99

Domino’s Pizza Prices in Canada

  • A small meal, pepperoni feast, small: $10.99
  • Medium meal, pepperoni feast, medium: $13.99
  • A large meal, pepperoni feast, large: $15.99
  • Breadsticks: $3.99
  • Canadian pizza, medium: $14.99
  • Dessert, chocolate lava crunch cake: $1.99
  • Soft drinks, can: $1.00
  • Maximum, deluxe X-large pizza: $21.99

20. The Canadian fast food market is dominated by Restaurant Brands International Inc., formed in 2014 by a $12.5 billion merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons. 

(Source: Mordor Intelligence, Wikipedia)

The dominant conglomerate in the Canadian fast food industry is Restaurant Brands International Inc., which owns Him Hortons, Burger King, and Popeyes, followed by Starbucks Corporation, McDonald’s, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., and Yum! Brands.

This is the Canadian fast food list, showing the major quick-service businesses operating in the country:

  • A&W, Arby’s
  • Baker’s Dozen Donuts, La Belle Province, Booster Juice, Burger Baron, Burger King
  • Captain Submarine, Carl’s Jr., Chez Ashton, Chicken Delight, Chipotle Mexican Grill
  • Chick-Fil-A, Cinnabon, Coffee Time, Country Style
  • Dairy Queen, Dixie Lee Fried Chicken, Domino’s, Donut Diner
  • Edo Japan, Extreme Pita, Five Guy, Fryer’s, Greco Pizza
  • Harvey’s, Hero Certified Burgers
  • Jimmy the Greek
  • KFC, Krispy Kreme
  • Lafleur Restaurants, Lick’s Hamburgers, Little Caesars
  • Manchu Wok, Mary Brown’s, McDonald’s Canada, Mr. Sub, Mucho Burrito
  • New York Fries
  • Orange Julius
  • Panda Express, Papa John’s, Pita Pit, Pizza Hut, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
  • Quiznos
  • Robin’s Donuts
  • Second Cup, St-Hubert, Subway, Swiss Chalet
  • Taco del Mar, Taco Time, Thaï Express, Tim Hortons
  • Valentine
  • Wendy’s, White Spot
  • Yogen Früz

The Bottom Line

Canadian fast food industry statistics show the industry providing breakfast for over 40% of Canadians. 

But that’s not all:

Among other things, many people have their first job and working experience in restaurants and fast food spots. According to most, it is a valuable source of early income and experience. 

During 2020, growth was stunted. Like all other industries, fast food restaurants had to come up with new practices, with a focus on introducing new and improved delivery options, or even operating as ghost kitchens amid social distancing and lockdowns.

The thing is:

More than half of Canadians are used to eating out at least once a week. It remains to be seen if the return to normal will bring a boom to the fast-food establishments and restaurants in general, or if the new habits of eating at home and ordering takeout linger.

FAQ

How big is the restaurant industry in Canada?

The restaurant industry in Canada generates over $60 billion in annual sales and has over one million employees. Almost half of Canadians have either worked or have family members who work in the restaurant and foodservice industry, or their business heavily depends on it.

How many fast food restaurants are in Canada?

The estimated number of fast food restaurants in Canada in 2019 was 27,091.

The most fast food restaurants are located in Toronto (758), Calgary (578), and Edmonton (475). Firehouse Subs has 37 units, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. Franchise 952

Arby’s Canada Inc. 65, among others. Tim Hortons is the absolute leader, with 4300 fast-food locations.

What is the most popular fast food restaurant in Canada?

The most popular fast food restaurant in Canada is Tim Hortons, the chain with around 4300 locations in the country, which also offers some of the best Canadian fast food deals. It was established in 1964 and focuses on coffee, donuts, and burgers. It generated US$2.2 billion in sales revenues and an additional US$1.14 billion from franchises and properties.

What are the trends in the fast food industry?

Some trends emerging in the fast-food industry are expanded menu options, such as vegan options, healthy sweeteners, and butter replacements, and expanded beverage options. Other trends focus on delivery and innovation, including expanded delivery, smart appliances, and artificial intelligence.

What is the most popular fast food in Canada?

The most popular fast food in Canada, generating the most sales in fast food restaurants is not food at all – rather, coffee and soft beverages in general. When it comes to food, burgers and sandwiches follow.

The most sold items at Tim Hortons, the Canadian iconic fast-food chain, are Timbits, grilled cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches. The most sold fast food items of all time in general are McDonald’s french fries and Big Mac, Burger King Whopper, McDonald’s Happy Meal, KFC original recipe chicken, Starbucks Americano, and Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza.

How much fast food does the average Canadian eat?

Canadian fast food industry statistics show the average Canadian takes in around 146 calories a day from fast food or around 6.3% of their daily intake. This number is higher for teenage boys and much lower for older women. Teenage boys eat around 248 calories, while women over 70 take in from fast food only 32 calories a day according to fast food statistics Canada.

ABOUT AUTHOR

With an early start in journalism and years of work as a technical translator, Marija felt it was natural to blend the two. Passionate about news and research, she enjoys sifting through the data, researching new currents and the constant changes in our technologically and financially driven lives, as well as presenting the stats and facts to the readers so you don’t have to dig deep on your own.

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