October 15, 2025 Amid the challenges faced by the foodservice industry over the last few years, competition from convenience stores seeking to capture the fast-food customer is on the rise. Whether it’s due to declining cigarette sales or simply recognizing the opportunity for growth, convenience stores are becoming a fast-food destination for many consumers.
Convenience store foodservice grew five ...Read more about this post
October 8, 2025 As the leaves change and the temperatures cool, the Fall/Winter 2025 issue of the magazine reflects on the challenges and successes this year, examines the current state of the foodservice industry, and highlights tools and strategies to take restaurant operators into a healthy and prosperous new year.
We also examine safety, from restaurant design to restroom ...Read more about this post
July 28, 2025 By Laura Henry
With nearly three-quarters of Canadians planning to travel more domestically and spend more time at local bars and restaurants within Canada this summer, there are several hospitality trends to note that can help businesses make the most of the season.
Seamless integration of online and in-store experiences
According to the 2025 Future of Commerce Report, ...Read more about this post
July 4, 2025 As consumers continue to be extra careful where they spend their money, demonstrating value can really differentiate a restaurant and drive traffic. How can operators offer more value while still maintaining their margins?
“Canadians are expecting more value for their dollars as they grapple with affordability…” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “In ...Read more about this post
June 26, 2025 Challenges abound in today’s foodservice industry, but as we have seen in the past, it’s how we pivot, adapt, and move forward that defines our success. Through it all, operators have become even more innovative, stepping up with technology adoption, targeted marketing, and incorporating a community approach to their operations, while making the most of ...Read more about this post
June 12, 2025 By Michael Thalassinos
Summer 2025 is shaping up to be a season of local travel and dining for Toronto and its surrounding regions, with over half (56 per cent) of GTA residents planning staycations in the city this summer. This info is part of a new poll by Silverware and Angus Reid, which delivers data to ...Read more about this post
May 27, 2025 As Canadians continue to face cost-of-living concerns this year, consumer dining trends are shifting, from menu preferences to generational dining to restaurant visits and beyond. Restaurants Canada and Circana recently released the 2025 Hot 10 Restaurant Trends report, highlighting top dining trends in today’s uncertain economy.
“Canadians are expecting more value for their dollars as they ...Read more about this post
May 13, 2025 As discretionary spending continues to be carefully watched by consumers, restaurateurs will need to offer a better guest experience to stand out and encourage regular visits. Research shows that nearly 75 per cent of all traffic happens off-premises, between drive-thrus, takeout, and delivery. As an impactful category for restaurants, what are guests expecting when they dine ...Read more about this post
April 17, 2025 Tipping has become a controversial issue in recent years as “tipflation” increases and more consumers complain of experiencing “tip fatigue.” Customers are still tipping, but totals are declining, with 30 per cent of this year’s customers tipping restaurant servers 10 per cent or less, up 19 per cent from last year.
How are customers feeling about ...Read more about this post
March 18, 2025 Many Canadian consumers are focused on value these days, as costs continue to rise almost across the board. For 71 per cent of consumers, cost is more of a factor this year than last year as they decide whether or not to dine out, according to a new survey released by Square and commissioned by ...Read more about this post
March 13, 2025 As we move into 2025, what are consumers looking for from their favourite restaurants? Studying diner preferences allows restaurateurs to tailor their menus and create memorable experiences that resonate with their customers, building profit margins, increasing traffic, and growing customer loyalty.
Health and wellness
Research from Open Table suggests that diners are most concerned with their health ...Read more about this post
November 27, 2024 As more and more employees head back into offices or adopt hybrid schedules, company culture is on the minds of many businesses, and holiday parties are one way to get teams together. Research shows that 43 per cent of companies are planning to increase the budget for their holiday party, spending an average of $44 ...Read more about this post
November 11, 2024 By Jessica Brill
Today’s competitive marketplace is filled with so many loyalty apps, how can restaurant operators stand out amid continued increased inflation, rising guest expectations, and evolving dining habits? Studies show that adding a loyalty program increases visits and customer spending by 30 per cent, and that’s why restaurateurs must develop a strategy to create ...Read more about this post
October 9, 2024 Restaurant operators are busy, and sometimes analyzing data can seem time-consuming and overwhelming. Along with the insights they look at for their operations, restaurateurs should keep an eye on what’s happening in the industry, as well as what guests are looking for, what attracts customers, top trends, and more. Here are some valuable stats and ...Read more about this post
August 13, 2024 As restaurant traffic patterns continue to evolve, operators are seeing a rise in solo dining. Recent studies reveal that 43 per cent of Canadians are dining alone in sit-down restaurants, motivated by self-care (31 per cent), the desire to try out new places (25 per cent), and working lunches (28 per cent).
From business travellers looking ...Read more about this post
