By David Hopkins While the restaurant industry has always been challenging, it is particularly difficult for restaurants to make money in today’s economic climate. Food costs are up, tariffs are making supply chains more complicated, and consumer spending is down. That being said, there are three main things that restaurant owners can do to maximize […]
By David Hopkins The return to the office is well underway; commutes are picking up, and workplaces, especially in Toronto, are steadily filling again. But it’s not just corporate offices seeing a revival; co-working spaces, once severely impacted by COVID-19, are rebounding as well. As workplace models become more dynamic, co-working has proven effective for remote […]
By David Hopkins In the current climate, it is incredibly difficult to be profitable and operate efficiently as a restaurant operator. Inflation is omnipresent, skilled labour is hard to come by, and consumer expectations are high. Fortunately, many technology platforms on the market can help restaurants thrive. Leveraging technology is critical, and here are some […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
