Which Burger Chains Are the Most Canadian?
Author: Matthew Shane
Published: April 27, 2025
There’s something about a good burger that brings people together — whether it’s after a hockey game, at a summer BBQ, or during a casual Friday lunch. But if you’re someone who likes to "vote with your wallet," you might wonder: when you grab a burger, are you actually supporting Canadian businesses and jobs? Or just a clever marketing campaign?
The CANADA List is all about giving consumers this type of granular information, so that they can make the smartest shopping decisions as easily as possible.
So we dug into our list to see what type of CANADA Score each of the major burger joints across the country receive (to remind, the score is an independent evaluative opinion, derived from publically-available data regarding ownership, manufacturing, sourcing, and job impact).
Some results were surprising ... they might just change where you order your next burger.
🍁 Truly Canadian Burger Chains
These brands are proudly Canadian-owned, and they invest back into local communities, farms, and workers. When you buy from these chains, you’re supporting the home team.
- A&W Canada — 9/10 — 100% Canadian-owned since 1972, sourcing Canadian beef and running independently from its U.S. namesake.
- Harvey’s — 9/10 — A true homegrown classic, Harvey’s focuses on Canadian-sourced ingredients and proudly wears its roots.
- South St. Burger — 8/10 — Born out of New York Fries (a Canadian brand), and champions Canadian Angus beef.
- Hero Certified Burgers — 8/10 — Toronto-based, eco-conscious, and loyal to Canadian-sourced beef.
- Burger’s Priest — 7/10 — Founded in Toronto, known for fresh, simple ingredients and strong local supply chains.
👍 Foreign-Owned Chains with Strong Canadian Sourcing
These brands aren't Canadian-owned, but they do make a concerted effort to source from Canadian suppliers and employ thousands of Canadians. They're "supportive visitors," if you will.
- Shake Shack Canada — 6/10 — New to Canada, but already sourcing 100% Canadian beef and chicken for their menus.
- McDonald’s Canada — 6/10 — U.S.-owned, but deeply integrated with Canadian farmers, suppliers, and workers.
- Wendy’s Canada — 5/10 — American chain using Canadian beef, but less integrated than McDonald's overall.
👍 Foreign-Owned Chains with Modest Canadian Sourcing
These foreign brands make some effort to source from Canadian suppliers when easy to do so; but their commitment level is only partial.
- Five Guys Canada — 4/10 — Some Canadian sourcing (like potatoes), but limited Canadian beef use.
- Burger King Canada — 3/10 — While RBI is headquartered in Toronto, Burger King's Canadian sourcing and integration are weak.
❌ Foreign Chains with Minimal Canadian Contribution
These burger joints may have a presence in Canada, but their impact is mostly limited to franchise employment. Ownership and supply chains largely remain outside the country.
- Carl’s Jr. — 2/10
- Johnny Rockets — 2/10
- Smashburger — 2/10
- Red Robin — 2/10
- Wahlburgers — 2/10
The Final Bite: Why It Matters
Buying a burger isn't just about lunch—it's about what your dollars support. Choosing a Canadian-owned chain keeps profits, jobs, and growth inside the country. It also supports local farmers, ranchers, and suppliers—critical pieces of the Canadian economy.
Quick Tip for Burger Lovers
When in doubt, check ownership, ask about sourcing, and use tools like The CANADA List to make informed choices. A tasty burger tastes even better when it supports your community too.
Want to look up other products?
🍁 The CANADA List has over 6000 products rated according to how much they contribute to the Canadian economy. Its fast, free and powerful: www.theCanadaList.ca
Is your favourite burger joint missing?
👉 Submit it here so that we can add it to our database!
* If you believe any information presented here is inaccurate or outdated, please contact us. We review all credible corrections carefully and will update where necessary
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