Our neighbors to the north may have a few slight differences in food taste, but one thing both of our countries can agree on is the joy that desserts can bring to just about anyone. Sweets are driving plenty of business at foodservice establishments both in the U.S. and Canada.

A new report from industry analyst Technomic shows that opportunities for the dessert category are growing in Canada as consumer views about desserts are changing. Fewer consumers now than in 2016 define dessert as simply a post-meal occasion, which will lead to more flexible, anytime dessert opportunities.

“Shifts in the way consumers are thinking about dessert align with the increasingly on-demand nature of foodservice in general,” says Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “We are also seeing dessert become more of an experience as trending items such as over-the-top milkshakes and neon-colored sweets lead the way on this front by piquing the curiosity of adventure-seeking consumers.”

Mood can play a big role in consumers’ dessert choices. According to the report, 63 percent of consumers are more likely to eat dessert when they want to treat or reward themselves. This can often lead to diners traveling to their favorite dessert spots, as 48 percent of dessert occasions that take place after a restaurant meal do not occur at that same location.