People love their pets. That’s certainly not a new trend, but what’s rising is consumer interest in pets getting a seat at the (dinner) table. Recent studies show that 39 per cent of consumers like the idea of pet-friendly restaurants and are interested in paying them a visit.
Pet ownership grew during the pandemic when so many people were seeking companionship. Almost 20 per cent of households adopted a pet during that time, and in 2020, pet industry sales reached a historic high of $103.6 billion. Most of us consider our pets part of the family, so it makes sense that there’s a growing demand for restaurants to provide a pet-friendly experience.
With so many restaurants still struggling with inflation and labour shortages, this may be a new way to draw in customers and attract attention for your business. 42 per cent of consumers say that being pet-friendly is at least somewhat important when deciding where to eat. Going forward, restaurants without these options may start finding it harder to compete.
Close to 70 per cent of Americans have pets and 52 per cent of consumers think that pets make a restaurant atmosphere more welcoming and fun. There’s a large opportunity in the market to capitalize on this trend and give your customers what they want.
In fact, several restaurants across Canada have already hopped on this trend, allowing pets on their patios, providing play areas, and even expanding their menus to include pet-friendly options. Some restaurants, like Lobster Burger Bar in Toronto, even offer dog beds and toys for their canine guests.
Not sure you want to go all-in on this? You can still make customers happy without violating your vision, or your health code. Putting bowls of water outside, setting up leash tie-up stations, offering pet treats at your register, or adding a designated section to your patio will add a pet-friendly vibe.
Restaurants can’t always cater to the top consumer trends, but the interest in pet-friendly establishments is growing. Getting your restaurant on board, even on a small scale, may offer you the chance to attract a new group of customers and get ahead of your competition.
