Food and drink prices keep rising. This puts pressure on restaurants, hotels, senior living communities, and all operators who rely on steady profits. Operators in Canada face many challenges. These include inflation, supply chain issues, labour shortages, and extreme weather. In this changing environment, one thing is clear: controlling costs is more important than ever.

So where are food and beverage prices going next and how can operators stay ahead? Here’s what to expect. Using a Food GPO like Entegra, a leading Canada buying group, can help you protect profits and improve quality through smarter, more strategic purchasing.

Where Food & Beverage Costs Are Headed

1. Continued Price Volatility

Analysts expect ongoing fluctuations across proteins, dairy, produce, and dry goods. Climate impacts, transportation costs, and global demand are shaping a market that moves quickly and unpredictably.

2. Higher Protein and Dairy Costs

Canadian operators are likely to see sustained increases in beef, poultry, and dairy pricing. With strong consumer demand and rising production costs, these categories remain among the most volatile.

3. Packaged and Prepared Foods Trending Up

Labour shortages continue to push manufacturers toward automation and new production models, but that investment comes at a cost. Expect gradual increases across prepared foods and value-added items.

4. Supply Chain Disruptions Remain a Factor

Unplanned shortages will continue to affect pricing across the sector. Operators without a procurement strategy may feel the brunt of these spikes.

How Operators Can Get Ahead of Rising Costs

Even when prices are going up, smart buyers can still save money and create more consistent results across operations.

1. Join a Food GPO to Unlock Savings

A Food GPO (Group Purchasing Organization) like Entegra combines the buying power of thousands of businesses. This helps small and mid-size operators get national contract savings usually meant for major chains. As a trusted Canada buying group, Entegra connects operators to 2,500+ leading suppliers across North America, including:

• McCain Foods – fries, appetizers, and potatoes with consistent quality and margins
• Lactalis – reliable cheese, dairy, and value-added dairy products
• Maple Leaf – high-quality proteins across poultry, pork, and prepared meats
• Nortera Foods – cost-efficient and nutritious frozen vegetable solutions
• Sara Lee – premium bakery and dessert selections that help increase check averages

These partnerships help operators lock in competitive pricing while accessing top-quality, dependable products.

2. Use Food and Beverage Procurement Solutions

Modern food and beverage procurement solutions help operators analyze their purchasing data, track price changes, and uncover savings opportunities. Entegra’s insights and analytics tools help operators:

• Benchmark product pricing
• Identify category-level savings
• Reduce off-contract spending
• Improve menu profitability

Better data leads to smarter buying and stronger protection against rising costs.

3. Optimize Your Menu Mix

Menu engineering remains one of the fastest ways to offset price increases. When operators understand their high-margin items, supplier alternatives, and product performance, they can adjust their menu to improve profitability.

4. Stay Flexible with Product Alternatives

With supply chain challenges continuing, having multiple high-quality product options is critical. Through Entegra and its supplier partners, operators can explore product substitutions that reduce cost while maintaining or improving overall quality.

5. Strengthen Supplier Relationships

Strong, long-term supplier relationships support price consistency and operational stability. Entegra’s negotiated contracts help operators maintain reliable partnerships with McCain, Maple Leaf, Lactalis, Nortera and Sara Lee, even when the market is volatile.

Why Entegra Helps You Stay Ahead

Entegra is more than just a Canada buying group it is a strategic partner that helps operators control costs, improve quality, and streamline procurement. Entegra helps operators keep track and stay ahead of commodity pricing. 

With Entegra, operators gain:

• Access to 2,500+ North American contracts
• Savings across food, beverage, supplies, and services
• A dedicated team supporting purchasing strategy
• Insights and analytics to proactively manage costs
• A strong network of trusted supplier partners

Rising prices are unavoidable but their impact doesn’t have to be.

Conclusion: The Future Belongs to Operators Who Prepare

Food and drink prices will continue to shift. But businesses that use strategic buying strategies will thrive. By working with a strong Food GPO like Entegra and leveraging suppliers such as McCain Foods, Lactalis, Maple Leaf, Nortera Foods, and Sara Lee, operators can reduce risk, save money, and protect their margins.

In a fast-changing market, staying ahead begins with smarter purchasing decisions and choosing the right procurement partner.