Make-or-Break Canada Day Weekend Set to Deliver 30%+ Boost for Canada’s Bar and Restaurant Owners
The countdown to Canada’s most celebrated summer holiday is on and, for bars and restaurants, this Canada Day long weekend could be a make-or-break moment. According to a new survey commissioned by Square, 72% of Canadians plan to spend more time vacationing in Canada and enjoying local restaurants this year—an increase attributed to the current political climate.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250618808042/en/
To help food and beverage sellers make the most of the busy holiday and succeed, technology company Square announced today it is launching its most powerful, portable point-of-sale device yet alongside a suite of industry-specific features and upgrades to empower Canadian businesses to move faster, deliver better customer experiences and grow.
According to newly-released Square data, Canada Day weekend is far more than just a celebration: it’s an important revenue driver for the hospitality industry. In 2024, bars and restaurants using Square to run and grow their businesses saw a 36% nationwide sales jump over the July 1st holiday weekend—building on a 30% rise in 2023. The boost didn’t stop there: after the long weekend, sales remained elevated above the annual average for the next two months—a crucial period for operators aiming to shore up their bottom lines before Fall.
Making the Most of Summer in Canada
This year, nearly three-quarters (72%) of surveyed Canadians anticipate spending more time in the country and at local restaurants, bars and pubs due to the current political climate—and almost half (47%) plan to “make the most of summer in Canada.”
Square data analysts will be monitoring this possible patriotic halo effect on popular food and drink items sold during the Canada Day long weekend. Last year, mocktails, signature poutines, local craft brews, and cocktail pitchers dominated orders over the extended holiday period—setting the tone for a lively 2025 patio season.
New Square Handheld
Every dollar counts between Canada Day and Labour Day—this period represents roughly a quarter of annual sales for many independent bars and restaurants across the country. To help Canadian bars and restaurants make the most of the season, Square is launching Square Handheld, a powerful and pocketable point-of-sale device that weighs in at 0.34 kgs and is only 1.2 cm thick. For quick-service restaurants, that means cutting down on lines during a busy rush, and for full-service restaurants, it’s taking orders tableside or from across the bar.