Taking it back to traditional restaurant marketing
September 7, 2023
Does your brand strategy include traditional marketing? In recent years, many restaurants have replaced their customary marketing with social media to promote their businesses and grow their brands. Putting all your eggs in one basket may be a mistake, though. It’s important to embrace a diverse approach to marketing, engaging your customers on different levels to ...Read more about this postTrend Watch: Marigold, stinging nettle, ajo blanco
September 5, 2023
By Katie Belflower For restaurants and chefs it’s important to be innovate as a way to stand out in a competitive marketplace. Staying up to date on the latest food trends is one way to stay a step ahead and treat your guests to something new and delicious. This latest edition of Trend Watch focuses on three menu trends ...Read more about this postDiners choose pickup over delivery as inflated costs continue
August 25, 2023
In the last few years, off-premise dining has become so popular, but these days, pickup is surpassing delivery for diners. As prices continue to remain high, this shift could be a result of consumers watching their wallets, attempting to save a few dollars by skipping the delivery fees. Because restaurants don’t typically add a charge for ...Read more about this postUse technology to get more Gen Z diners into your restaurant
August 25, 2023
Restaurant operators are always looking for new ways to connect with their customers to engage and encourage return visits. From your website to your loyalty program, looking at real data is the best way analyze who is visiting, how often, what they are ordering, how much they are spending, and more. Getting specific on generational ...Read more about this postSustainability is on the menu for many QSRs
August 23, 2023
Sustainability continues to be at the top of consumer lists as they support their favourite businesses, and restaurants are no exception. Diners are looking for restaurants that are striving to lower their carbon footprints, and they’re even willing to pay up to 10 per cent more in those establishments. What does sustainability look like to consumers? ...Read more about this postRestaurant transparency is crucial as inflation continues
August 15, 2023
As Canadians continue to face record-breaking inflation, the term shrinkflation has emerged, reflecting when the prices rise or remain the same but the portion or serving size is reduced. This has affected many restaurant menus and diners who might be paying more for less, as operators try to recoup costs and stay afloat. Shelflation is also ...Read more about this postResponding to online reviews: a cheat sheet for restaurants
July 31, 2023
By Mark Plumlee In today’s digital age, online reviews play a critical role in a restaurant’s reputation, which can directly affect the bottom line. A recent survey showed that 90 per cent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business, and 88 per cent trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Therefore, it’s essential ...Read more about this postChoosing a delivery system that works for your restaurant
July 19, 2023
Customers are always looking for better, smoother, and faster restaurant experiences and that applies to their off-premise dining, too. As the landscape focuses even more on convenience, restaurants will need to decide on a delivery system that offers the best customer experience. According to Paytronix, both first-party and third-party options offer benefits for restaurants and their ...Read more about this postThe challenge of real estate inflation for franchises
July 19, 2023
Among the continuing supply chain delays, staffing shortages, and elevated food costs, many QSRs and restaurant chains are struggling with real estate inflation. As chains look for the best locations to open new franchises, rising real estate costs are making it difficult for some franchises to expand. According to Peter Saleh, managing director and restaurant analyst ...Read more about this postStepping up your loyalty program
July 14, 2023
Repeat business is a restaurant’s bread and butter, and this means loyalty and retention is top of mind for many operators. According to studies, it costs a business 25 times more to acquire a new customer than it does to keep one, so it’s in your best interest to make customer loyalty your top priority. Loyalty ...Read more about this postOnline ordering remains a reliable source of restaurant revenues
June 28, 2023
Even as patios are filling up for the summer, online ordering continues to be an important revenue generator for restaurants. Diners want to eat out, but they also want the convenience of enjoying their favourite dishes from the comfort of their own homes. According to Paytronix, online orders have nearly tripled since the pandemic, so ...Read more about this postThe evolution of happy hour
June 2, 2023
Consumer habits have changed so much over the last few years, but despite flex hours and remote work, it looks like happy hour is still bringing people together and raising restaurant revenues. While happy hour once meant that people left the office to gather for after-work drinks, some are suggesting that it’s evolved, as customers ...Read more about this postShifting consumer spending and its effect on restaurants
May 25, 2023
Consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending as they prepare for a possible recession, but have those cutbacks meant less revenue for restaurants? Are Canadians limiting their restaurant visits as inflation continues to soar? According to a recent study by Capterra, 85 per cent of consumers are worried about the looming recession, and nine out of ...Read more about this postThe current state of the foodservice industry
May 15, 2023
As the foodservice industry continues to recover through elevated food prices and ongoing labour challenges, what does it look like in today’s economic landscape? Givex’s annual survey provides insight into diner preferences and industry trends. While inflation and a possible recession have motivated many Canadians to cut back on discretionary spending, the study found that 28 ...Read more about this postDigital transformation helps restaurants manage consumer demands and economic challenges
April 27, 2023
By Luke Rose Can restaurants use digital transformation as a tool to balance their bottom lines, consumer demands, and economic challenges? The current economic climate, paired with aftershocks from the pandemic, has fuelled a decline in consumer discretionary spending. As a result, many restaurants increased prices as they race to get their heads above the water ...Read more about this post