Consumer Research

  • Consumers raise hygiene standards for restaurants

    March 22, 2023
    These days, consumers are looking for higher levels of hygiene from the businesses they frequent, including the restaurants they visit. In the past, a quick swipe of the table with a damp cloth did the trick for many, but consumers now want to feel like they are entering a safe and sanitized environment when they ...
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  • Why restaurants should stop using long-form surveys

    March 9, 2023
    By Austin Verner Does your restaurant use surveys to solicit feedback from your guests? Surveys can be an effective tool in connecting with your customers, identifying opportunities for improvement, and building on practices that are working for your business – if you’re doing it correctly. According to reports, 20 per cent of your customers account for 80 ...
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  • Fast-food restaurants face competition from convenience stores

    March 8, 2023
    The fast-food market is becoming even more competitive, as convenience stores continue to get attention in this space. With persistent labour shortages, supply chain delays, and the significant growth of off-premise dining, many stores are expanding, capitalizing on higher food margins to help grow their profits. Can convenience stores deliver what diners are looking for? Consumers ...
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  • Lower wait times to raise your restaurant’s revenue

    March 3, 2023
    As a restaurateur, prioritizing your guest experience is vital in garnering return visits, and longer wait times could be hindering your restaurant’s success. Nobody likes waiting, and your diners are no exception. In fact, a study of 94,000 diners found that the revenue of a popular restaurant increased by 15 per cent when wait times ...
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  • Canadian diners are ordering more items off the menu

    February 28, 2023
    According to Technomic’s latest report, the last quarter of 2022 showed diners are ordering more off the menu, even as menu prices saw an increase of about six percent across the board. Only the kids’ menu category saw a decline in menu counts, finishing off the year with numbers down 2.2 percent overall. According to the ...
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  • Foodservice today and tomorrow: looking ahead to a bright future

    February 22, 2023
    We’ve spent a lot of time in recent months looking back at the last few years, analyzing the journey, but now it’s time to look at how far we’ve come and ahead to a bright future. With the continued challenges of persistent inflation and labour shortages, it’s important for restaurateurs to get to know their ...
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  • Why you should respond to online reviews

    February 8, 2023
    By Austin Verner When it comes to reading online reviews, every restaurant should leave no stone unturned. Today, the question for restaurant owners shouldn’t be, “do they find me online?” but rather, “what do they find when they find me?” Online review management has become integral to running a successful restaurant, and restaurants should evaluate how responding ...
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  • Valentine’s Day promos your guests will love

    February 2, 2023
    Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and since it’s the second most popular day to dine out, offering promos your guests will love is a win-win. According to a recent study by OpenTable, 72 per cent of those celebrating want to splurge at local restaurants, and are planning to spend over $41 per person, ...
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  • How menus are addressing diner demand for healthier choices

    January 31, 2023
    Diners continue to look for healthier alternatives as they visit restaurants, and menus are evolving to meet that growing demand. Including healthier choices and trendy dishes is just the start, though. It’s not just about menu features, it’s also about the language you use. Trends come and go, and language changes to reflect what customers are ...
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  • Plating your food the way customers want to see it

    January 24, 2023
    What factors go into planning your plating? Do you consider what customers might find appealing or what your presentation says about your restaurant? Studies show that 18 per cent of diners think that when food looks better, it tastes better. Making your plating a priority means taking several factors into consideration.   The plates Consider the size of ...
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  • Plant-based dishes appeal to a broad array of diners

    January 3, 2023
    In recent years, with more consumers adopting vegan and vegetarian diets, plant-based dishes have steadily gained menu real estate. However, it looks like the increased demand comes from a general shift towards healthy eating, rather than from vegans or vegetarians. RELATED: Consumers say plant-based diets are here to stay Recently, 29 per cent of consumers said that ...
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  • How loyalty can help offset the effects of inflation

    December 15, 2022
    In today’s economy, loyalty is more important than ever. As prices continue to rise and people watch their discretionary spending, you want your restaurant to be their destination of choice. As a restaurateur, knowing your customer is a fundamental factor for success. The better you get to know them, the easier it will be to deliver ...
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  • OpenTable lists Canada’s most beloved restaurants for 2022

    December 7, 2022
    Canadian eateries receive some well-deserved recognition from OpenTable in the recently-released list of the Top 100 Most Beloved Restaurants in Canada for 2022. The list features restaurants offering experiences of all types, from fine dining to budget-friendly, highlighting 48 restaurants in Ontario, 23 in Alberta,18 in British Columbia, nine in Quebec, and one in New Brunswick.  These ...
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  • ‘Tis the season for selling gift cards

    December 6, 2022
    The season for gift-giving has arrived, and as the possibility of a recession looms, gift cards could be just what your restaurant needs to help your bottom line through the holidays. Gift cards encourage repeat visits from your customers and help you to acquire new customers. With 80 per cent of consumers planning to purchase gift ...
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  • Canadian consumers have a taste for sweet treats

    November 14, 2022
    As consumer habits continue to shift and off-premise dining remains a popular option, desserts and sweet treats are making their way onto more and more takeout orders. According to the 2022 Online Ordering Trends report from Restaurants Canada, this is an ongoing trend, with baked goods taking top spot in the delivery and pickup category for ...
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