Restaurant ordering in Edmonton: what the numbers say
Edmonton grew 8.3% between 2016 and 2021, faster than the national average of 5.2%. Growth like that brings new customers every year, so it pays to collect their contact details with each direct order and build a list you own.
Edmonton has about 1,320 people per km², which is typical of a busy suburban city. Most customers will drive or have food delivered, so a radius of a few kilometres with distance-based fees is a good starting point.
Delivery zones across Edmonton
You can draw separate zones and fees for the parts of Edmonton you serve. Restaurants here often think in terms of areas like these:
- Old Strathcona (Whyte Avenue)
- Downtown
- Oliver
- 124 Street
- Chinatown
- Garneau
- Ritchie
- Mill Woods
- Windermere
Local facts for Edmonton restaurants
As in the rest of Alberta, only the 5% GST applies to restaurant meals.
Sources: Canada Revenue Agency.
Nearby cities you can reach
The closest large municipalities to Edmonton are Strathcona County (12 km), St. Albert (14 km). Distances are straight-line from the city centre. If your kitchen sits near a boundary, one Chefzi delivery zone can cover customers on both sides of the line.
Sales tax on online orders in Alberta
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so restaurant meals carry only the 5% GST. For rebates on small purchases and the full rules, see sales tax in Alberta.
Chefzi shows tax on the checkout and receipt using the rates you set.
One system for Edmonton restaurants
- Online ordering on your own site with no commission per order; guests order in the browser, with no app to download.
- POS and kitchen display, so online orders are never retyped.
- Table reservations and a loyalty program.
- Delivery by your own staff or by Uber Eats and DoorDash couriers.
- A staff order-taking app on Google Play (App Store coming soon).
- Card payments go straight to your restaurant. Menu setup and onboarding are free, plans are month-to-month, and pricing is $17 or $35 CAD a month. See pricing.
Alberta rules for Edmonton restaurants taking online orders
- Tax: Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so orders carry 5% GST only (Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST and PST rates).
- Food Handling Permit: you need a Food Handling Permit from Alberta Health Services before you operate. The permit cannot be transferred: a new owner must apply at least 7 days before taking over (Alberta Health Services, starting a food business).
- Certified staff: at least one person in charge must hold an Alberta-recognized food safety certificate. With 6 or more food handlers on shift, a certified manager or supervisor must be on site (Alberta Health Services, food safety training requirements; Alberta Food Regulation (AR 31/2006)).
How Chefzi works for Edmonton restaurants
Pricing is a flat monthly fee: see plans in CAD. Moving from GloriaFood? Read our GloriaFood migration guide.
- Your own ordering page and app, with your name and menu, and no commission per order.
- Delivery, pickup and table ordering from one menu.
- Orders go to a tablet or printer in your kitchen.
- Customer list and offers you control, for repeat orders.
- Card payments paid out to your own account.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chefzi work for winter delivery?
You can raise prep times, widen delivery windows or switch to pickup-only with one change on cold or snowy days, so customers aren't promised times you can't meet.
Does Chefzi take commission on orders in Edmonton?
No. Chefzi charges a flat monthly fee. Card processing fees still apply to card payments, as with any payment provider.
Can I deliver from Edmonton to Strathcona County?
Yes, if it fits your kitchen. You choose your delivery radius or draw zones on a map, and you can charge a higher fee for longer trips.
Do Edmonton online orders carry PST?
No. Alberta has no provincial sales tax; orders carry 5% GST (Canada Revenue Agency).
Can I take over an existing Edmonton restaurant and keep its permit?
No. Alberta Food Handling Permits cannot be transferred. Apply at least 7 days before you take over (Alberta Health Services).
Does Chefzi have a POS and kitchen display in Edmonton?
Yes. Chefzi offers a POS, kitchen display, reservations and loyalty in Canada.
Do my customers need to download an app?
No. Customers order on your website, in the browser. The Chefzi app on Google Play is for your staff to take orders.
Is there a setup fee in Edmonton?
No. Menu setup and onboarding are free, and plans are month-to-month: $17 CAD (Cash and pickup) or $35 CAD (Card payments) a month.