Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit member-based trade association that serves as the voice of the foodservice industry in Canada. Founded in 1944 as the Canadian Restaurant Association, and later known as the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, its mission is to unite the industry and fuel its success through advocacy, connection, and support. The organization's headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario, with a recently established satellite office in Ottawa to enhance its federal advocacy efforts.

The association provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, including advocacy on critical industry issues such as labor, taxation, food safety, and sustainability. It offers invaluable research and insights into consumer preferences, industry performance, and economic trends, alongside industry news, networking opportunities, and trade events like the annual RC Show. Members also benefit from programs designed to enhance competitiveness, including exclusive discounts and access to group purchasing organizations like Groupex.

Under the leadership of President & CEO Kelly Higginson and Chair of the Board Nicolas Filiatrault, Restaurants Canada actively engages with all levels of government to champion policies that support a thriving foodservice sector. Recent activities include advocating for changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, addressing food affordability, and responding to provincial budget impacts. The organization continues to navigate a challenging market environment characterized by elevated inflation, rising operating costs, and evolving consumer behavior, with recent reports highlighting a bleak outlook for the industry and projections of a net loss of restaurants in 2026.