Shrinkflation hits restaurant diners
March 28, 2023
We’ve certainly heard a lot about inflation in the news lately, but how is “shrinkflation” affecting the foodservice industry? According to Sylvain Charlebois, professor at Dalhousie University, shrinkflation is when a food manufacturer reduces the quantities its producing, but sells the product for the same price. Because this practice is increasing, the Canada Revenue Agency has ...Read more about this postRestaurants and bars to be hit with Canada’s new alcohol tax hike
March 27, 2023
Amid the foodservice industry’s struggle to recover, the Canadian government is getting ready to introduce the largest alcohol tax hike in history. On April 1, the federal alcohol duty is set to go up 6.3 per cent. The yearly increase has always been considered a nuisance for the industry, as alcohol excise duties are imposed at ...Read more about this postIncreasing restaurant revenues and profitability
March 20, 2023
By Travis Traini Restaurant revenues are still in the news as businesses continue to try and recover. After the difficulty of operating through the pandemic, restaurateurs are facing new operating challenges including staff retention and labour shortages (especially skilled labour), significant inflation in food costs, economic effects on customer spending, rising interest rates, and increases in ...Read more about this postA look at today’s rising menu prices
March 17, 2023
As rising food costs continue to make headlines, many restaurants have raised their menu prices to help find a balance and offset their increased expenses. Rather than simply upping prices across the board, it’s a good time for restaurants to evaluate their margins, engineer their menus, and adjust pricing to better the bottom line. RELATED: Is ...Read more about this postSt. Patrick’s Day menu ideas for your restaurant
March 14, 2023
By Mark Plumlee Everyone’s a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, which means that it’s the perfect time to create a specialty holiday menu inspired by the Emerald Isle! Irish beer and whiskey are a great start but don’t stop there. Be sure to add plenty of Irish and Irish-inspired dishes to round out your menu ...Read more about this postCanadian restaurant chains are going greener
March 13, 2023
As the recent single-use plastic ban takes effect in Canada, more restaurants are going greener, adjusting their practices to reduce their environmental impact, and addressing consumer demand for higher sustainability from the businesses they frequent. RELATED: Sustainability matters to Canadian consumers With 57 per cent of diners looking for more sustainability from QSRs, some of the biggest ...Read more about this postFast-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 ...Read more about this postTrend Watch: Meat-infused cocktails, pickled nuts, salal berries
March 7, 2023
By Katie Belflower In our latest edition of Trend Watch with Technomic, we are focusing on three current top menu trends across Canada, showcasing some of the restaurants that are creatively and successfully adding these items, flavours, or ingredients to their menus. Meat-infused cocktails Operators are featuring cocktails infused with meaty elements including marrow, fat, and stock. These ...Read more about this postHow to make QR codes work for your restaurant
March 6, 2023
QR codes became a top trend for contactless ordering during pandemic days, but are they still serving a purpose? The answer rests in how they’re being used by restaurants. As a one-dimensional, pdf version of your menu, the QR code likely isn’t doing you any favours. Many diners find them awkward, having to stretch and ...Read more about this post2023’s top trends add flavour and colour to restaurant menus
March 1, 2023
Each year we see new colours, flavours and ingredients topping the menu trends list, so what’s in store for 2023 menus? Experts predict everything from global influences to splashy colours to nostalgic favourites, and more. Try out some of these top 2023 trends at your restaurant to stay current, get your customers talking, and appeal to ...Read more about this postCanadian 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 ...Read more about this postAttract couples to your restaurant with date nights
February 27, 2023
By Mark Plumlee Now that Valentine’s Day has passed, it’s time to celebrate anniversaries and date nights for the rest of the year. Many couples struggle to find time to plan a special evening, but your restaurant can help with easy and romantic options, while also promoting and building your business. With tougher competition than ever in ...Read more about this postUsing 2023 trends to grow your restaurant business
February 24, 2023
These days, competition is fierce and anything your restaurant can do to set itself apart is an opportunity to grow your business. With 87 per cent of food operators more worried about inflation this year than anything else, what are the industry trends that will help drive success this year, and how can you use ...Read more about this postWhat customers are looking for from restaurants
February 24, 2023
By Megan Prevost If customers from 2019 time-traveled to today and stopped in at their favourite restaurants, they would immediately recognize some key differences. Over the past few years, the restaurant industry has morphed, at first changing out of necessity and quickly becoming more of a matter of preference. Because of this ongoing evolution, it can be ...Read more about this postAre value items on the menu for 2023?
February 23, 2023
As many diners seem to be adjusting to rising prices, some restaurants are introducing value items to their menus to attract those consumers looking to eat for less. While some experts are looking at inflation as a catalyst for positive change, other sources are suggesting that lower pricing can help boost profitability. From breakfast additions to ...Read more about this post