Job prospects Counter Attendant, Restaurant in Québec

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "counter attendant, restaurant" in Québec or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Québec

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) in Quebec for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Employment dynamics in this occupation depend on trends influencing the food service sector, in particular fast food, where the majority of jobs in this occupational group are located. This industry is characterized by a competitive business environment and low profit margins, resulting in high turnover.

Despite rising household incomes, the uncertain economic climate could have a greater impact on the food service sector. Consumers may be inclined to cut back on non-essential spending and look for more affordable options. This trend could favour fast food and takeaways, which offer cheaper meals, to the detriment of sit-down restaurants. 

In addition, population aging, the increase in the number of single-person households and better tourism opportunities in Quebec could be favourable.

On the other hand, increased use of kiosks and mobile applications could reduce demand for counter services.

Finally, although certain factors are likely to boost employment slightly, they will not be enough to offset the impact of other factors influencing the profession.

Here are some key facts about Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations in Quebec:

• Approximately 68,950 people work in this occupation.
• Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 67%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 43% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 56% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 37% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations work all year, while 63% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 34 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 41% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 59% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 34% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 35% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 15% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Québec by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "counter attendant, restaurant" Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) or across Canada.

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