Food and beverage servers in Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean

The employment outlook will be Very limited for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200) in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region for the 2025-2027 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some 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 in this occupation depends on trends that affect the food services sector. This industry is characterized by a highly competitive business environment and low profit margins, which lead to significant firm turnover.

The recent population growth, driven by immigration, and an improved tourism outlook are contributing to expanding the food services clientele. However, in the context of the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty, consumers tend to reduce non-essential spending and favour more affordable options, such as take-out meals or limited-service counters. This development could curb demand for full-service restaurants and drinking places, where most jobs related to this occupation are concentrated.

However, the increasing integration of technologies, such as kiosks, automated management systems, and robot assistants, are redefining methods of working. Without replacing employees, these tools reduce physical tasks and improve efficiency, which change the required skills, particularly in customer service and technological adaptability.

Here are some key facts about food and beverage servers in the Saguenay - Lac-Saint-Jean region:

• Approximately 1,030 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
• Food and beverage servers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Accommodation and food services (NAICS 72): more than 95%