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Caterers in Canada Industry Data and Analysis
Canada’s catering industry has regained momentum after pandemic-era disruptions. Rising disposable income and stronger business confidence have driven demand for catering services higher, as consumers spend more and the number of Canadian businesses expands. A steady appetite for social and corporate events has encouraged businesses to expand their spending on gatherings that require catering, such as office parties, corporate conferences, team-building seminars and client events. Higher per capita household income and improving consumer confidence have also increased spending on private events, such as weddings and birthdays. With caterers adapting to shifting consumer preferences for healthier and more innovative options by expanding their service offerings, industry revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% to $3.9 billion through 2025. However, with recession risk persisting because of heightened trade tensions, industry revenue growth is forecast to slow to 0.4% in 2025.Catering services have evolved in response to shifting preferences. Caterers have increasingly focused on offering healthier options, as well as organic and locally sourced produce, and many have expanded their scope to include event consulting and planning. Despite these changes, caterers have been challenged by rising prices as high inflation pushed the price of everything higher. Meat and vegetable prices were especially volatile, with foodservice operators across Canada experiencing a decline in profitability as ingredient costs outpaced other overhead expenses.Catering is expected to continue growing as an expanding business environment boosts demand and companies increase their spending on organized events. As consumer spending rises despite recessionary risks, more time-poor individuals will choose catering services over home preparation. Sustainability will continue to be a primary force shaping Canadian catering, as clients place greater emphasis on environmental impact and regulatory agencies introduce stricter guidelines regarding food waste and packaging. Ultimately, growth will hinge on caterers' ability to adapt and expand their services while reshaping the industry to meet the rising expectations of clients. Through 2030, industry revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% to $4.2 billion.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Caterers industry in Canada includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released November 2025.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Caterers industry in Canada operates under the NAICS industry code 72232CA. The Caterers industry in Canada provides food services for events such as graduation parties, wedding receptions and trade shows. Industry establishments generally have equipment and vehicles to transport meals and snacks to events and to prepare food at the event site. Caterers who own or manage permanent facilities in which they provide event-based food services are also included. Related terms covered in the Caterers industry in Canada include food service, wastage and food handling.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Caterers industry in Canada include Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages , Food prepared for immediate consumption and Food served at events on caterers' premises.
What companies are included in this industry?
The Caterers industry in Canada is highly fragmented with no companies holding a market share greater than 5%.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Caterers industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Caterers industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Caterers industry in Canada.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Caterers industry in Canada. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Caterers industry in Canada. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Caterers industry in Canada. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Caterers industry in Canada. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Caterers industry in Canada.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Caterers industry in Canada in 2026?
The market size of the Caterers industry in Canada is $3.3bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Caterers industry in Canada in 2025?
There are 4,879 businesses in the Caterers industry in Canada, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Caterers industry in Canada?
The Caterers industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Caterers industry in Canada?
The Caterers industry in Canada is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Caterers industry in Canada grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Caterers industry in Canada has been growing at a CAGR of 7.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Caterers industry in Canada over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Caterers industry in Canada is expected to grow.
What does the Caterers industry in Canada include?
Providing single event-based food services and Providing food services in banquet halls with catering staff are part of the Caterers industry in Canada.
How competitive is the Caterers industry in Canada?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Caterers industry in Canada.
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