Practical restaurant AI that pays for itself

By Madan Kanala Artificial intelligence has exploded across most industries, grabbing headlines for generating images, writing emails, and powering customer service bots. But in the restaurant world, AI isn’t just a futuristic concept — it’s becoming a practical tool for back-of-house operations that quietly delivers ROI. The difference? This AI doesn’t talk. It listens, learns, and […]

How to expertly manage your restaurant’s inventory

Today’s economy, labour challenges, and continued rising prices leave many operators feeling cost-conscious and looking for ways to maximize margins without raising menu prices. One strategy to save money and improve efficiency is by better managing your inventory to reduce waste, gain more time, and spend less money on spoiled or unnecessary ingredients. Accurate tracking […]

Four ways restaurants can innovate and experiment to grow

By Ming-Tai Huh Running a restaurant is hard. Even harder still is when operators are coping with reduced consumer spending, persistent inflation, and rising food costs. According to Square’s new Future of Commerce report, 62 per cent of Canadian consumers are cutting back on dining out, yet nearly 69 per cent of restaurant operators plan to increase prices to […]

QSRs continue to evolve through 2025

Value, technology, and sustainability were hot topics this year, as diners continue to watch their pennies. This fall saw many QSRs creating value meals and offering LTOs to compete in this space, many extending those deals as momentum grew, along with adding technology to improve operations and help address some of the labour shortages into […]

Using AI to maximize your margins

Technology is transforming restaurant operations, from automation to AI, but how can these be practically adopted for your business? AI has emerged as a game changer for operators, helping to address labour challenges, reduce operational inefficiencies, manage complex data, and beyond. RELATED: The rise of AI in the foodservice industry Labour management Rather than replacing […]

The rise of AI in the foodservice industry

AI is being used more and more in the foodservice industry to simplify operations, help manage labour, and offer an enhanced experience to restaurant customers. However, there are always challenges with tech adoption, so how can operators make the most out of today’s technology? The benefits AI offers operators the opportunity to automate time-consuming, tedious […]

Leveraging the latest advances in restaurant technology

By Madan Kanala Efficiency is vital to success in the fast-paced and highly competitive restaurant industry. Maintaining high standards across various locations can be daunting for multi-unit restaurant managers. However, the latest advances in restaurant technology – particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and robotics – are revolutionizing how these managers can achieve operational […]

Using digital menu boards to boost the bottom line

As technology continues to drive change in the foodservice industry, menu boards matter. In fact, studies show that digital menu boards can increase sales by as much as 38 per cent. From a customer’s first impression to providing a positive experience, digital signage can impact how diners see your restaurant and whether they return. Whether […]

Navigating the second half of 2024 for restaurant success

By Mo Chaar Canada’s foodservice industry continues to navigate a turbulent landscape. Recent data from Restaurants Canada reveals that in April, 74 restaurants filed for bankruptcy, a sharp increase from the 53 that did so in April 2023. These figures underscore the restaurant sector’s ongoing challenges amid reduced consumer spending and rising operating costs. With […]

Advanced technology and QSR drive-thrus

When the pandemic ended, many restaurateurs planned to reduce dining space, invest in AI and other technology, and commit to improving the drive-thru experience. A recent QSR report showed that drive-thrus are impressive revenue generators, and the locations they studied offered an 88 per cent upsell rate to guests. Along with raising revenues, technology-enabled drive-thrus […]