While Black Friday may not typically be associated with restaurant visits, there is an opportunity for operators to attract attention and drive traffic for this holiday. Research shows that restaurant sales have grown 4.5 per cent on this day, as dining becomes part of the holiday shopping experience for many. However, as value has dominated […]
Today’s restaurant customers have a voice – and it’s loud. With so much competition, some restaurants have shifted their marketing and operations, leaning on consumer preferences as part of the decision-making process. From technology to value to menus, diner involvement has been increasingly impacting the decisions of several restaurant chains. With the continued growth of […]
As restaurant technology continues to evolve, operators are leveraging more tools to increase accuracy, add efficiency, and improve delivery. Studies show that 73 per cent of diners are comfortable with AI at a restaurant, up from only 33 per cent last year. This affords operators the opportunity to embrace some of the technology that can […]
By Pratham Jani More restaurants and foodservice brands are selling online than ever: gift cards for the holidays, branded sauces and spice blends, merchandise, and more. For most of them, that online shop sits on Shopify, built quickly to capture a seasonal opportunity rather than as the primary business. But that speed has a cost […]
A positive customer experience means that guests want to return to your restaurant, and that typically means focusing on service, food, and ambiance, but what about your restrooms? Reports show that three out of four people say a poor experience in a public restroom leads to at least one negative action toward the venue or […]
The growing use of technology in the foodservice industry provides operators the opportunity to increase efficiency and service, while improving ordering speed, accuracy, and customer experience – when it works. Are operators adopting technology and leveraging its benefits? Is it performing to the highest standard? Are customers benefitting from increased tech adoption at their favourite […]
By Leslie Ann Roberts In the fifth episode of Heated Rivalry, released on Crave in December 2025, Rose Landry, played by Quebec actress Sophie Nélisse, appears in a St-Viateur Bagel t-shirt. The scene lasts less than a minute, but according to Benjamin Choquette, St-Viateur Bagel’s marketing director, sales of its merchandise, particularly its logo t-shirt, […]
Comfort food and nostalgia often go hand in hand, as menus switch to mac and cheese, s’mores desserts, and popular specialty hot coffees, but some QSRs are re-interpreting the idea of nostalgia. Rather than reinventing the wheel each time, some chains are simply bringing back old favourites, offering the opportunity for customers to re-experience a […]
By Katie Koebel A great restaurant experience is about more than what’s on the plate; guests come to connect with friends and family, celebrate milestones, and enjoy each other’s company. But when background music, clattering dishes, and conversations from nearby tables compete for attention, following along to your own conversation becomes challenging. For people already […]
A customer deciding where to buy lunch is thinking about what is nearby, what sounds good, what is easy to order, and whether there is a deal waiting in an app. In foodservice, loyalty often comes down to a small moment of convenience: the coffee ordered before work, the lunch spot near the office, the […]
