Canadians want to eat healthy, but the obesity rate reached 28% in 2017—double the 14% rate in 1978. While Canada’s Food Guide encourages healthy eating, a University of Guelph study finds only one-third of Canadians follow the guide. Despite this, franchisors like Freshii and Eat Clean have been expanding across the country.  

Canadians are eating less beef and corn, but are eating more chicken, turkey, and rice. Millennials and a more diverse population are changing what we eat. Chains such as Paramount Fine Foods and Pacific Poke are capitalizing on this trend.

Nielsen finds that 27% of Canadian households buy meat and dairy alternative products. Franchisor A&W has introduced Beyond Meat burger and sausage patty, while Copper Branch doesn’t serve any meat whatsoever.

Canadians are concerned about where food comes from and how animals are treated. Tim Hortons and McDonald’s plan to use cage-free eggs by 2025, B.Good franchisees buy food from local producers to minimize the environmental impact, and A&W serves pork and chicken raised without antibiotics.

Food service chains with 20 or more locations in Ontario have been forced to post calorie counts next to all their food and drink items since January 2017. Other provinces may follow suit. In a 2018 poll, 81% of B.C. residents said they wanted similar regulations to Ontario’s.