Food services and drinking places, June 2020

Released: 2020-08-25

Sales in the food services and drinking places subsector rose by 26.8% (seasonally adjusted) to $3.9 billion from May 2020 to June 2020. This was the second consecutive monthly increase. With most businesses across the country having reopened under new rules and restrictions, higher sales were reported across all industry groups and in all provinces and territories. When data for June 2020 are compared with data for June 2019, unadjusted sales were down by over one-third (-37.1%).

Chart 1 
Sales in food services and drinking places

Further information can be found in the "Food Services and Drinking Places Sales" dashboard. This web application provides access to data on sales in food services and drinking places for Canada, and by province and territory. This dynamic application allows users to compare provincial and territorial data through interactive maps and charts.

COVID-19

In March, a sequence of unprecedented government interventions related to COVID-19 was put in place, including the closure of non-essential businesses, travel restrictions and public health measures directing Canadians to limit public interactions. During this time, all provinces restricted access to and implemented closures of businesses in the restaurant industry. These measures continued for the entire month of April. In May, many businesses started to reopen, offering take-out options and, in some provinces, allowing dine-in and patio services under strict guidelines. Businesses continued to reopen in June, with all provinces allowing dine-in services following provincial guidelines. Based on respondent feedback, 29% of food service and drinking place operators reported having been closed at some point in June, compared with 42% in May and 56% in April. Also, 12% reported having been closed for the entire month of June, compared with 22% in May and 41% in April.

Sales in the food services and drinking places subsector increase as COVID-19 restrictions ease

The largest increases in dollar terms were reported at full-service restaurants (+58.3%), followed by limited-service eating places (+12.8%), drinking places (+135.4%) and special food services (+21.5%).

Sales at full-service restaurants increased by more than half in June 2020 (+58.3%) compared with May 2020. Sales began to recover at full-service restaurants as dining rooms and patios continued to reopen in the country. One-third (32%) of full-service restaurants were closed for part of June, compared with 44% in May and 65% in April. One-tenth (11%) were closed for the entire month of June, compared with 21% that were closed for the entire month of May and 47% that were closed for the entire month of April.

Sales at limited-service eating places increased by 12.8%. The number of limited-service eating places that were closed decreased to 13% in June, down from 25% in May and 31% in April. One in 10 (10%) was closed for the entire month, similar to May (11%), but an improvement over April (18%).

Sales at drinking places saw the largest rebound in percentage terms (+135.4%), as bars, pubs and some nightclubs started to reopen. More than half (56%) of drinking places were closed at some point in June, compared with 85% in May and 89% in April. Some reopened throughout the month—less than one-quarter (23%) were closed for the entire month of June, compared with 59% in May and 79% in April.

Sales of special food services increased by one-fifth (+21.5%), as food service contractors, caterers and mobile food trucks started to serve businesses and customers again. One-third (34%) of special food services reported having been closed for part of June, compared with 49% in May and 60% in April. One-fifth (21%) reported having been closed for the entire month, compared with 34% in May and 49% in April.

Sales in the food services and drinking places subsector increase in every province and territory

All provinces and territories reported an increase in sales in June 2020. Ontario (+19.0%), Quebec (+38.3%), British Columbia (+30.4%) and Alberta (+30.3%) reported the largest increases in dollar terms.

Sales in the food services and drinking places subsector decrease year over year

The figures in this section are based on unadjusted (that is, not seasonally adjusted) estimates.

Because of the effects of COVID-19 on the food services and drinking places subsector, unadjusted sales for June 2020 were down by 37.7% compared with June 2019. Although year-over-year sales have been improving since April, they fell in each of the following industry groups: full-service restaurants (-51.8%), limited-service eating places (-15.2%), special food services (-70.9%) and drinking places (-68.3%).

Chart 2 
Year-over-year percentage change in sales in the food services and drinking places subsector, by industry group (2019 vs. 2020)

Year-over-year sales decreased in each province, with Ontario (-45.7%), Quebec (-41.0%), British Columbia (-32.7%) and Alberta (-26.0%) reporting the largest declines in dollar terms.

Prices for food purchased from restaurants, as well as prices for alcoholic beverages served in licensed establishments, were up 2.0% in June 2020 compared with June 2019.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca) or Media Relations (613-951-4636; STATCAN.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.STATCAN@canada.ca).