January 22, 2018 By Judy Henderson
We’ve all been to a themed restaurant; perhaps you’ve salivated over smoked beef brisket served by a gentleman resembling John Wayne, or you’ve tucked into moussaka beside a mural depicting Santorini on the Aegean Sea. There’s certainly a place for these kinds of restaurants but as a modern hospitality designer, I tend to ... Read more about this post
November 14, 2017 By Judy Henderson
As hospitality designers, it’s our job to provide clients with a finished space that looks current. In my view, we also need to create a design that will stand the test of time and provide the client with true value. The photo above is a restaurant project my firm did in 2006. The ... Read more about this post
October 18, 2017 By Chris Hannah
Being a restaurant designer, it’s impossible not to have a passion for food. As I continue my own culinary education, one of the great parallels between food and design is the ever-evolving landscape in which they live.
We are constantly bombarded with media that investigates and dissects both food and design on many levels ... Read more about this post
September 12, 2017 By Judy Henderson
When staying at a hotel and on the look out for a good spot to eat, I always check with the concierge. If their reply is “we have a great restaurant”, that’s when I run a mile in the other direction. Hotel restaurants tend to be buried on an upper level and occupied ... Read more about this post
August 14, 2017 By Aaron Jourden
In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners this August. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique:
Kekuli Cafe Coffee & Bannock
Instagram: 1,232 followers | Facebook: 6,197 | Twitter: 5,398 followers
Locations: 2 (British Columbia)
Concept characteristics:
First ... Read more about this post
July 27, 2017 By Judy Henderson
By now your renovated restaurant is no longer just a dream and is getting close to becoming a reality. As the final touches are being completed, now is the time to make sure your relaunch plans are set for success.
Since my expertise is design, I’ve asked my communications guy, Michael Ford, owner of ... Read more about this post
July 24, 2017 By Alice Sinia, Ph.D.
To keep up with changing times and styles, every restaurant will need to undergo a renovation at some point. An upgraded dining room and kitchen can do wonders, from revitalizing the dining atmosphere to enhancing the chef’s ability to turn around delicious dishes. However, renovations can also welcome unwanted guests – pests. ... Read more about this post
June 29, 2017 By Judy Henderson
We’ve already covered starting, planning and designing your restaurant’s renovation. The day will come during that process when the kitchen falls silent (hopefully your chefs are testing a new menu in another working kitchen) and construction starts. As the sledge hammer makes its mark on the walls, you’ll be glad you spent the ... Read more about this post
June 7, 2017 By Aaron Jourden
In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique:
Flock Rotisserie + Greens
Instagram: 4,349 followers | Facebook: N/A | Twitter: 561 followers
Locations: 4 (Toronto)
Concept characteristics:
Quality, naturally raised rotisserie chicken
Signature ... Read more about this post
May 19, 2017 By Judy Henderson
Last time, we discussed the importance of planning for your restaurant renovation. Hopefully you heeded my warning – failing to plan is planning to fail. So, your work-back schedule is gently optimistic, the bar is perfectly positioned and scaled to the size of the space, and you’ve established a flow for the movement ... Read more about this post
May 15, 2017 By Greg Kells
When you’re thinking about selling your restaurant, it’s important to remember that there are many different types of potential buyers for your property, each with their own perceived value drivers and different criteria.
The value they see in buying your restaurant depends very much on the plans they have for the restaurant. To understand ... Read more about this post
March 7, 2017 By Judy Henderson
Planning a restaurant renovation is the key to success — miss this step at your peril. This process, conducted every seven to 10 years, will keep your restaurant in the game. Here are some things to consider when making your plan:
Timing
This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many restaurant owners don’t ... Read more about this post
February 13, 2017 By Kristin Menas
In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique:
The Green Panther/La Panthere Verte
Instagram: 3,969 followers | Facebook: 13,251 likes | Twitter: 4,537 followers
Locations: five (Montreal)
Concept characteristics:
A vegan/vegetarian concept ... Read more about this post
January 12, 2017 By Judy Henderson
If your restaurant is going to survive, you’re going to need to complete a renovation every seven to 10 years. I’m not talking about replacing the fabric on an existing banquet or adding an Edison bulb to an old pendent fixture – that’s maintenance. A renovation is more extensive; a rethink of the ... Read more about this post
December 2, 2016 Earls.67 is a new prototype restaurant based on global micro and macro trends
By Cheryl Mah
With time comes change and innovation. For the beloved 35-year-old west coast based restaurant Earls, time brought a one-off prototype concept designed to transform the chain dining experience. Earls.67, the 67th eatery in the powerhouse’s roster of locations, has packaged and ... Read more about this post
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