Have Canadians reached a tipping point?

By John Shapiro On the subject of tipping, there are passionate arguments to be made on both sides of the fence. Tipping has always been a topic for debate, but it becomes even more volatile when Canadians are dealing with consistent pressures on their wallet. In a continuously evolving industry and society, dealing with interest […]

The demand for pet-friendly patios is on the rise

The foodservice landscape has seen so much change in recent years, and many operators are looking to connect with their customer base to foster loyalty and keep building that bottom line. With pet ownership numbers up since the pandemic, the demand for pet-friendly patios has also seen an increase. Studies show that Yelp searches for […]

How restaurant operators can keep up with changing dining habits

By Mo Chaar In today’s economy, Canadians are cutting back on extraneous spending wherever they can to cope with a higher cost of living, and less than 30% of Canadians are satisfied with their recent restaurant experiences. A new consumer survey of Canadians’ dining attitudes and motivations revealed that a whopping 82 per cent of […]

QSRs focusing on personalization to drive loyalty

QSRs are finding themselves with more competition than ever before, as many grocery and convenience stores have started offering hot and cold meal options. As they work to come out on top, they’re focusing on what they can deliver for higher value, increased loyalty, and better service, and personalization may be the answer. Last year, […]

Today’s restaurant guests crave connection

As inflation continues, many restaurateurs are looking for new ways to engage guests and keep them coming back. It turns out that while technology, eatertainment, and great marketing attract customers, good old-fashioned customer service is what earns their loyalty. The number of guests who visit a restaurant weekly has dropped from 38 per cent to […]

How restaurants can embrace change in the age of the hermit consumer

By Brittain Brown There’s been a noticeable change in consumer habits across Canada in the post-pandemic landscape. Fueled by a rise in ghost kitchens, third-party delivery apps, and surging inflation impacting supply chains, we’ve seen the emergence of a new consumer archetype: the “hermit consumer,” marked by those who prioritize comfort and convenience by ordering […]

Off-premise dining continues to drive restaurant revenues

Even as dine-in traffic continues to pick up, demand remains high for off-premise dining. From delivery to drive-thru, studies show that 43 per cent of full-service restaurants accounted for more off-premise business in 2023 than five years ago, and 26 per cent of operators plan to add more options to their off-premise offerings this year. […]

Will 2024 be easier for operators?

As we move through the first quarter of 2024, looking back to the final quarter of last year can give us some insight into restaurant success, consumer spending, and what’s trending this year. How did restaurants do towards the end of last year and what can we expect to see this year? While traffic dipped […]

How restaurants can survive and thrive during the slower season

By Brittain Brown Restaurants are grappling with a unique set of challenges – the confluence of inflation, winter weather, and the post-holiday lull creates a perfect storm, leaving many establishments feeling the financial pinch. Amidst the struggles, this is a chance for restaurateurs to think outside the box and find innovative ways to attract customers […]

Today’s customer spending and its effect on restaurants

By Vince Sgabellone Economists have projected a slowdown in the Canadian economy for several quarters now. Similarly, Canadian consumers have reported for over a year that they plan to cut back on their spending and studies show they have done just that. For the year ending June 2023, consumer spending across the 11 retail categories […]