One half want more food trucks

| Filed under: Toronto, Social Issues

One half want more food trucks

Most don't think they compete with restaurants

TORONTO APRIL 15th, 2014 - In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 882 randomly selected Torontonians 18 years of age and older, one half say there aren't enough food trucks in Toronto (50%), while just one tenth think there are too many (8%) and one quarter thing the number is about right (25%). Close to one fifth have no opinion (17%). The desire for more food trucks is strongest in younger groups (56%), females (56%), mid-income groups ($60K to $80K - 60%), downtown (58%), those who drive (56%), the better educated (degree - 55%, post-grad - 61%), mothers with children (56%), Chow (57%) and Tory voters (55%), but not Mayor Ford's supporters (35%). When we polled this last summer, results were very similar (July, 2013 - 48% not enough food trucks, 10% too many, 26% the right amount).


Majority agree food trucks don't compete with restaurants

More than half of Torontonians don't agree food trucks compete with restaurants for customers (53%), while just one third agree they do (33%). 1-in-7 has no opinion (15%). Those who agree food trucks compete with brick and mortar establishments are the youngest (38%), the least wealthy (49%), North Yorkers (38%), those with some college (39%) and Rob Ford voters (37%).


Most think competition good, if it exists

One half of those who think competition exists agree it is a good thing for restaurants (50%), and just one third think it is a bad thing (33%). One fifth have no opinion (17%).


It's clear that whatever misgivings city council may have with food trucks, they are not shared by the public, nor is the fear they will drive restaurants out of business. The authorities should listen more to the people who will patronize these mobile eateries, and less to those who see them as a threat," said Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.