Canada's Top 200 Restaurant Chains Improve Results, Face Continued Challenges, Finds Technomic

CHICAGO, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Top 200 Canadian Restaurant Chains, which account for over $25 billion and nearly 60 percent of the Canadian commercial restaurant industry's total sales, experienced a $741 million, or 3 percent increase in sales in 2010. While that number is an improvement over 2009, it does reflect an industry still operating in a difficult economic environment. Unit growth was modest, with the net addition of 73 new restaurants, down from 290 net new units in 2009.

"The industry is continuing to grow. But looking at a breakdown within the Top 200 chains we see that just less than half had positive growth, while 86 of the Top 200 chains experienced declining sales," says Technomic EVP Darren Tristano. "The key for operators is to understand where that growth is occurring and implement lessons learned throughout the industry into their own business models."

To help those aligned with the Canadian foodservice industry stay abreast of opportunities and trends, Technomic has teamed with Kostuch Media to release the Top 200 Canadian Chain Restaurant Report.

Findings include:

• Tim Horton's continued to lead the Canadian foodservice industry in terms of both sales and units. McDonald's and Subway both outpaced Tim Horton's sales growth, but came in second and third respectively in terms of total sales.
• Of the Top 200 chains, 91 experienced growth in 2010. A total of 17 chains grew at a rate greater than 20 percent, 14 grew between 10 and 20 percent, and 60 chains grew between 0 and 9 percent. 23 chains had sales that were flat from 2009 to 2010.
• New entrants into the Top 200 include a broad variety of restaurants. Midscale family style restaurants, limited service, fast casual and traditional casual dining chains are all represented by new entrants into the Top 200.

The Top 200 Canadian Chain Restaurant Report is designed to help operators and suppliers keep abreast of competition, develop sales and marketing strategies, identify growth opportunities, and monitor industry segment performance and menu category results.

The report features an industry overview with Technomic analysis and insights, as well as profiles of the Top 200 Canadian chains culled from Technomic's Digital Resource Library Canada. The Digital Resource Library includes vital segment and industry data for top Canadian chains, key retailers, leading multi-concept and non-commercial operators.

To purchase or learn more about this report please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts
Press Inquiries: Darren Tristano, 312-506-3850, or [email protected]
Purchasing Details: Jessica Cravero, 312-506-3849, or [email protected]
Report Details: Naomi Van Til, 312-506-3844, or [email protected]

About Technomic

For over 40 years, Technomic has been providing clients with the facts, insights and consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include numerous publications and digital products, as well as proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry.

About Kostuch Media Ltd.

Kostuch Media covers the dynamic and ever-evolving hospitality industry by delivering a diverse array of media products for today's sophisticated marketers. The company's two core publications, Foodservice and Hospitality and Hotelier magazine deliver extensive signature reports and award-winning editorial, reflecting a continued commitment to provide the foodservice and hospitality industry with in-depth, quality reporting. In addition to producing the industry's two leading hospitality magazines, Kostuch Media Ltd., also produces three industry websites and a series of signature events, including The Pinnacle Awards and the Top 100 Awards Breakfast.

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SOURCE Technomic