Tech talk: the future of restaurants

By Jessica Brill How is today’s technology helping to shape and improve the foodservice industry? As inflation and labour shortages continue to challenge businesses, innovation can play an important role in helping to alleviate some of the stresses that come with managing those persistent challenges. We consulted five industry experts from various leading foodservice sectors, […]

Foodservice today and tomorrow: looking ahead to a bright future

We’ve spent a lot of time in recent months looking back at the last few years, analyzing the journey, but now it’s time to look at how far we’ve come and ahead to a bright future. With the continued challenges of persistent inflation and labour shortages, it’s important for restaurateurs to get to know their […]

Is there an upside of inflation for restaurants?

Restaurants continue to struggle with food costs and labour shortages, but some experts are seeing inflation as a catalyst for positive change. David Hopkins, president of The Fifteen Group, sees the situation as a great opportunity for restaurants to tighten their operations and increase efficiency. Adjust pricing to address inflation “Restaurants have always had to […]

Vaulting the staffing hurdles to find a way forward

By David Hopkins The restaurant industry is facing a significant crisis: staffing. It’s a trend that has been particularly exacerbated over the last several months and, unfortunately, shows little sign of vanishing soon – foodservice operations across the country are struggling to find, hire, and retain staff. ​So, why is this happening, and what can […]

Heading into summer 2022, where does Canadian foodservice stand?

By David Hopkins It’s difficult to believe it but we’re already more than a third of the way through 2022. Now, more than two years into the pandemic, Canadian foodservice businesses are continually facing challenges while also experiencing new successes and new innovations. Even as we’re only in the fifth month of the year, there […]

Building for success with your restaurant patio

It may not feel like it just yet, but patio season is on the way again. Programs like Toronto’s CaféTO and Vancouver’s own system will be underway again this spring made permanent in some major jurisdictions, and with hopes of a sustained reopening this time around, it could be a much-needed busy summer for those […]

Minimum wage hike presents opportunity for restaurants

By David Hopkins Ontario’s minimum wage is going up again on January 1, 2022. And this time, unlike in the past, the minimum wage for servers will also rise significantly. It is set to increase almost 20 per cent, from $12.55 to $15 per hour. This comes at a time when most restaurants are trying […]

Navigating the vaccine passport rollout

By David Hopkins The vaccine passport has now rolled out in Ontario, and with it comes increased uncertainty and complications for restaurant operators, who have already faced incessant turmoil and scrutiny over the past year and a half. While the details of the vaccine passport and its enforcement vary from province to province, the gist […]

The hiring dilemma: Luring restaurant workers amid pandemic damage

Foodservice is facing a staffing crisis as many laid off workers show understandable reluctance to return. So what can operators do? By Tom Nightingale It’s been well-documented that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on tight-margin industries like foodservice and hospitality were particularly devastating as closures and numerous restrictions have affected the last 16 months. […]

Preparing yourself for summer reopening & recovery

Canadian consumers are ready to keep supporting restaurants, but managing your margins and elevating guest experience are musts. By Tom Nightingale Canadian foodservice and hospitality is finally getting on the road to healing the deep wounds of COVID-19. On July 16, indoor dining reopens in Ontario for the first time since Easter weekend, a landmark […]