Restaurant Sales In Canada A Bit Better, But Optimism A Bit Worse

The percentage of Canadian restaurant operators reporting higher same-store sales in the second quarter of this year, compared with the same quarter in 2012, rose slightly, while those reporting lower sales dropped somewhat, according to the latest survey from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association’s quarterly Restaurant Outlook Survey. Of those surveyed, 34% report higher same-store sales, 32% said sales were even and 34% said sales fell during the quarter. The group reported the trend through the three months of the quarter was positive, with improvements in June.

As for what they expect of their sales during the next six months, the percentage of operators seeing higher sales fell to 31% from 34% in the first-quarter survey. But the percentage that believe sales will be lower also fell to 18% from 19%. Quick-service operators are particularly optimistic about sales trends the rest of the year. Those expecting same-store sales to accelerate jumped to 49% in the second quarter, from 34% in the 1Q/13 and only 15% 4Q/12.

More operators are seeing food cost increases, up to 57% from 54% last quarter, but 5% fewer, now 38%, plan to raise menu prices.

The full CRFA Outlook Survey is available at crfa.ca.”””