TORONTO — Marketing research firm BrandSpark International has identified McDonald’s transformation from a burger restaurant to a coffee QSR; the continued battle for coffee and specialty coffee supremacy; and Subway taking the lead on healthy menu items as key trends that shaped Canada’s QSR market in 2015.
BrandSpark conducted a national survey of more than 8,500 Canadians about which QSRs they frequent and how their dining habits are shaping the country and restaurant menus. The survey also found that consumer choice for healthy menu items is driven by the main courses not the sides.
Along with the survey results, BrandSpark also released its Best Restaurant and Best New Menu Item Award winners for 2015. The Best Restaurant Awards named a four-way tie between A&W, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons and Wendy’s in the Best Tasting Food Overall category. Best New Menu Item Awards saw A&W’s All Canadian Breakfast win in the breakfast category and Carl’s Jr. receive top honours in the beef burger category with its new Mile High Bacon Thickburger.
A complete list of winners can be found at bestrestaurantawards.com.
