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 […]

How loyalty can help offset the effects of inflation

In today’s economy, loyalty is more important than ever. As prices continue to rise and people watch their discretionary spending, you want your restaurant to be their destination of choice. As a restaurateur, knowing your customer is a fundamental factor for success. The better you get to know them, the easier it will be to […]

Sustainability matters to today’s Canadian consumers

Sustainability is a hot topic for Canadians and it is becoming increasingly important to consumers, with 45 per cent looking to increase their sustainable behaviour. Recently, consumers were asked to rate the importance of restaurants making sustainable choices. Results were steady across the board, with QSRs (at 57 per cent), fast casuals (at 56 per […]

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 […]

Gen Z diners are key for your restaurant, so connect with them

If your restaurant doesn’t already have a marketing strategy that targets Gen Z customers, it’s time to shift your focus. Making up 28 per cent of the population, with 20 per cent of their income going towards food, Gen Z is an important part of your restaurant’s customer base. With a reputation for being technology-driven, […]

RBI: More customers redeeming coupons, loyalty rewards

As severe price pressures continue for customers and restaurants alike, more consumers are turning to money-saving options such as coupons and loyalty rewards to stretch their dollars further. That’s a conclusion reached by Restaurant Brands International (RBI), whose brands include Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. RBI, like many restaurant chains and operators, […]

Chipotle reaps rewards with NBA text drive

Chipotle has long been cited as one of the leaders in customer loyalty, and the brand allowed its loyalty program members to reap rewards with a campaign in June that connected diners by text message during the NBA Finals. During the first four games of the championship series between the Golden State Warriors and the […]

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 […]

Why menu refinement is becoming the name of the game

By Tom Nightingale Restaurants have faced far more than their fair share of potentially crippling challenges over the last two years, from forced closures to supply chain woes, rising costs across the board, and staff shortages. In response, they have taken to trying out numerous mitigating measures, from temporary outdoor seating to strategic menu price […]

McDonald’s Canada launches overhauled loyalty program

In a time when restaurant chains are recognizing the increased importance of having an extensive loyalty program, McDonald’s Canada is stepping up its game. The fast-food giant launched its first ever points-based customer rewards scheme on November 16, called MyMcDonald’s Rewards. Customers can now earn points on every menu item (excluding delivery), earning 100 points […]