4,000 Fewer Restaurants: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois on Canada's Food Service Divide

Restaurant closures in Canada are happening faster than forecast. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois projected a drop from 89,000 to 85,000 restaurants in 2026 and says the numbers coming from the sector confirm it is already underway. The shift is driven by price sensitivity. A burger and fries at a quick service restaurant now runs around $20. The average household used to put 40 percent of its food budget toward restaurants. That number is now 36 percent. People are not stopping eating out, but they are stretching the dollar further and skipping the expensive wine and entrees when they do go. The regional split is sharp. Alberta food service sales are up 13.7 percent year over year. Ontario is down 0.5 percent. Quebec is down 0.4 percent. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois calls these two different worlds in the same country. He also showed up at a restaurant with a physical coupon and was told the promotion ended the previous day. Topics: restaurant closures Canada, food service Canada, QSR prices, Alberta Ontario food service gap, restaurant loyalty programs GUEST: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois | @‌foodprofessor Originally aired on 2026-05-07