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Canada's Restaurants Face Mass Closures by 2026
12 Jan
Summary
- Nearly 4,000 restaurants may close by 2026.
- Businesses are struggling with rising costs and softer demand.
- Smaller independent restaurants face the greatest challenges.

A significant contraction is anticipated in Canada's restaurant sector, with a forecast of approximately 4,000 net closures by 2026. This projection stems from a Dalhousie University report indicating that the industry has been under prolonged economic stress since 2021.
Contributing factors include escalating operational expenses, increased labor costs, and a shift in consumer behavior towards more cautious discretionary spending. Assistance programs from the pandemic era have since ended, leaving many establishments to navigate these challenges independently.
Independent restaurants are expected to bear the brunt of this industry adjustment, as larger chains may possess greater resilience. The situation reflects an "right-sizing" of the sector based on current economic realities.



