Digital transformation helps restaurants manage consumer demands and economic challenges

By Luke Rose Can restaurants use digital transformation as a tool to balance their bottom lines, consumer demands, and economic challenges? The current economic climate, paired with aftershocks from the pandemic, has fuelled a decline in consumer discretionary spending. As a result, many restaurants increased prices as they race to get their heads above the […]

What are your restaurant customers looking for?

It’s often hard for restaurant owners to determine what their guests are looking for, going through a trial-and-error process that can be costly and frustrating. What are customers looking for on your menu? According to Datassential, they are looking for global inspiration and sustainability. Global flavours You’ve added new, exciting, on-trend items to your menu, […]

Shrinkflation hits restaurant diners in Canada

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 […]

Consumers raise hygiene standards for restaurants

These days, consumers are looking for higher levels of hygiene from the businesses they frequent, including the restaurants they visit. In the past, a quick swipe of the table with a damp cloth did the trick for many, but consumers now want to feel like they are entering a safe and sanitized environment when they […]

How to make QR codes work for your restaurant

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 […]

What customers are looking for from restaurants

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 […]

Beyond accessibility: universal restaurant design is essential

By Adrian Johansen Your guests are the heart and soul of your business. There are few things more satisfying for the owner or operator of a restaurant than seeing happy patrons crowded around a bountiful table, laughing, talking, and breaking bread together. However, for one market demographic, the opportunity to enjoy such fellowship is still […]

How to make your customers feel like family

By Megan Prevost Every business wants to be loved on a level that makes its customers feel like family from the moment they walk in. But this doesn’t happen by accident; knowing where to start building that loyal relationship can be tough. How do you make your customers feel like family? Put a little work […]

What are customer profiles — and why should you build them?

By Mark Plumlee Knowing your customers is perhaps the most important part of running a successful small business. Knowing your target audience should inform every decision you make – your overall atmosphere, your menu, your marketing strategies, and beyond. Familiarity with your diners allows your business to provide them with the exact drinking or dining […]

How to better understand customer experience (and why it matters)

By Austin Verner Customers are the lifeblood of any business, and that means delivering an exceptional customer experience is a must to keep your guests coming back. A study conducted by Thanx found that revenue was highly-concentrated among a small number of customers, with the top 25 per cent contributing 64 per cent of revenue. […]