How chains are tackling the ongoing labour shortage
November 15, 2021
The fact that foodservice is facing a continued labour shortage has been well-documented by this point. While staffing levels have rebounded to some degree in some areas, restaurants are still struggling to attract the quality and quantity of workers that they need to handle the resurgent growth in indoor dining in Canada, the U.S., and ...Read more about this postCanadian milk prices set to soar by more than ever before
November 1, 2021
The Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) announced on Friday, October 29 an unprecedented 8.4 per cent increase in milk prices. The increase, which equates to six cents per litre, affects the cost of milk used to make dairy products for the retail and restaurant sectors effective February 1, 2022. However, the impact will actually be far greater ...Read more about this postTrend Watch: Lovage, umeboshi, barberry
October 28, 2021
By Katie Belflower We’re firmly into fall 2021 already and menus across Canada are looking as always to adapt to the most recent menu trends in foodservice. RestoBiz and Technomic’s latest edition of Trend Watch focuses on three hot-ticket items that are in vogue in Canada right now: lovage, umeboshi, and barberry. Lovage A perennial plant most often found in ...Read more about this postGen Zs, millennials driving growth of plant-based foods
October 27, 2021
The popularity of plant-based foods has been growing in recent years, and Gen Z and millennial consumers are likely to continue pushing that growth. That’s according to a recent report from The NPD Group, which found that the consumer demand for these beverages and foods for in-home meal prep has continued throughout the pandemic. Both dairy ...Read more about this postWhole Foods Market highlights top 10 trends for 2022
October 20, 2021
Whole Foods Market global buyers and experts have unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2022 in the retailer’s seventh-annual Trends predictions. According to the predictions, made each year by a Trends Council, buzz-less spirits, yuzu, Reducetarianism and functional beverages made with prebiotics and botanicals are among the food influences expected to rise in popularity in the ...Read more about this postHow Canadian foodservice has been forever changed
October 18, 2021
By now, it seems undeniably apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed Canadian foodservice forever. According to Restaurants Canada’s Foodservice Facts 2021 report, that view is shared by 76 per cent of operators across the country. On the positive side, foodservice sales are rebounding. In July 2021, there was only a five per cent difference shortfall in ...Read more about this postOutdoor dining demand has been driven up by Delta variant
October 13, 2021
New data from the U.S. National Restaurant Association has shown how the delta COVID-19 variant drove up the demand for outdoor dining. In a September 2021 survey fielded by the Association, 78 per cent of operators said their restaurant experienced a decline in customer demand for indoor on-premises dining in recent weeks, as a result of ...Read more about this postUnderstanding loyalty programs in the pandemic age
October 8, 2021
Several key lifelines emerged for restaurants and other foodservice operations during the worst of the pandemic, from online ordering to curbside pickup and delivery and contactless payments. Another prominent trend was recognition of the importance of loyalty programs. Loyalty programs not only create a lasting connection between patrons and a restaurant and/or brand, but they also ...Read more about this post78% of US restaurants report decline in dine-in business
October 1, 2021
A new report from the National Restaurant Association suggests that the effects of the pandemic on US restaurants are far from over. According to new data, 78 per cent of US restaurants reported a decline in customer demand for indoor dining in recent weeks due to the rise of delta variant COVID-19 cases. In addition, 63 per ...Read more about this postTea and coffee trends: What today’s consumers want
September 28, 2021
Aside from water, coffee and tea are the most-consumed beverages in Canada. With the market constantly changing and today’s consumers looking for certain things when selecting a beverage, a new report has assessed ongoing tea and coffee trends across the country. A collaboration between Technomic, Restaurants Canada, the Coffee & Tea Association of Canada, and the ...Read more about this postCanadians want indoor dining, technology, and to support local
September 13, 2021
Canadians are looking forward to returning to restaurants as long as safety measures are in place finds the 2021 Discerning Diner Report from Angus Reid and Restaurants Canada. In particular, 89 per cent of Canadians are looking forward to eating out with friends and family, with 64 per cent going so far as to say ...Read more about this postConsumers demanding more ordering and loyalty options
September 8, 2021
Restaurant customers want to use multiple ordering and purchasing options and restaurants must respond if they are to capture more business, finds a new report from Paytronix. The Delivering on Restaurant Rewards: The Value of Multichannel Ordering Options report from Paytronix and PYMNTS also recommends that restaurants should reimagine their loyalty engagement strategies and expand the ...Read more about this postRestaurant takeaways: what we learned from takeout
September 3, 2021
By Mo Chaar Closures and restrictions during the pandemic left many restaurants in dire straits in 2020 as they fought to retain customers and reach new audiences. In many cities, the fact that offering takeout and delivery was the only means of service forced restaurants to pivot quickly and develop new and creative ways to generate ...Read more about this postCanadian restaurant menu prices rose 3.1% in July
August 30, 2021
Menu prices at restaurants in Canada were 3.1 per cent higher in July 2021 than they were a year ago, reports Restaurants Canada. This represents the largest increase since January 2019, and is over three times the magnitude of the rise in food prices at grocery stores, which climbed by 1.0 per cent. Since January 2019, menu ...Read more about this postWhat Canadian hospitality can learn from Australia
August 20, 2021
By Peter Dougherty This time last year, the future of the Canadian hospitality business — and hospitality in general — seemed unsure. Fortunately, things have changed. The hospitality industry is re-emerging to serve Canadians who are excited to be back at their favourite restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. But we’re not out of the woods yet. ...Read more about this post