Voice technology: a long-term staffing solution?

Ask many experts and they will say that foodservice — despite the pain of the pandemic, inflation, staffing crises, and other problems — is in the middle of a great leap forward in technological advancement right now. Automation in the kitchen, the dining room, and beyond is propelling an evolution of the way restaurants do […]

Why custom uniforms can be effective tools in the hospitality industry

By Nick Warrick Staff members in the hospitality industry have a critical role in providing a positive customer experience. These employees represent your brand, whether they work in the background or have face-to-face customer interactions. The clothing your staff wears creates a lasting first impression for your guests. Choosing custom uniforms at your location makes […]

QR codes seem here to stay despite diner disdain

Foodservice’s embrace of technological solutions was hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic, safety, and staffing challenges it brought on. But it isn’t just new innovations we’ve seen rise to prominence in the last few years. QR codes, a tool once sidelined, have rebounded in a big way. These days, in the second half […]

How to prepare your restaurant for fall pests

By Alice Sinia Although pests present a potential problem all year long, changing seasons often bring changes in pest populations. To best protect your business throughout the year, it is important to know how changes in weather will affect these unwanted guests’ habits. As temperatures drop, restaurants are especially vulnerable to fall pests looking for […]

Restaurant design trends for the post-pandemic consumer

Perfecting your restaurant design can be tricky but it is a vital step for attracting and retaining customers. How can restaurateurs ensure they are appealing to the contemporary consumer? The latest edition of Datassential’s Trendspotting report notes that as restaurants continue to struggle to stay afloat in the post-pandemic, inflation-infused climate, more than one in […]

Ontario restaurants are increasingly going tip-free

The pandemic and the fallout felt by the restaurant industry has prompted a conversation around tipping, and something of a reassessment of the culture. Now, some Ontario restaurants are beginning to adopt a tip-free model. As noted by CTV News, the crux of restaurants’ argument for going tip-free is that by eliminating tips and increasing […]

Finding your “vanilla” is key to success

By Scott Moore There are hundreds of ice cream flavours, yet one of the most popular is and may well always be vanilla. One would also wager that the most popular pizza is pepperoni, regular potato chips are still the rage, and chicken noodle soup remains a top seller. There are many other examples of […]

Why creating a story with your menu makes a difference

By Ralph Zoontjens The term “food marketing” may conjure images of billboards or TV ads, but the restaurant menu is one of the most important touchpoints to engage your customers and keep them coming back. For the past two years, food marketing has been dominated by pandemic-related risk management, but now, restaurants have the freedom […]

What do Canadian diners want from technology in restaurants?

When it comes to the foodservice industry, consumer trends have rapidly and significantly evolved over the course of the pandemic. One development that has proven it is here to stay, however, is the integration and use of technology in restaurants. Technology has been there to ease restaurants’ concerns, from labour shortages to changing dining operations to […]

Canadian foodservice’s midterm trend report

By Katie Belflower At the start of the year, amid what was still significant COVID-19-related turmoil and evolving restrictions and operations, Technomic mapped out a predicted trend report for the Canadian foodservice industry. Now, five months into 2022 and after so much has changed (again) in the industry and beyond, Technomic has compared its new […]