Is your restaurant prepared for the summer rush that often comes with warmer weather, longer days, and outdoor dining? As most restaurant operators continue to tackle supply chain delays, inflation, and labour challenges, having a summer strategy will put you ahead of your competition and impress your guests. Plan ahead While the season is rapidly […]
Once the warmer weather arrives, Canadians tend to think of barbecuing as synonymous with patios, and that means it’s time to get your burger menu ready. You likely already have burgers on your menu, but are you taking today’s trends into consideration? According to Technomic’s recent study, there are some top trends to note this […]
Leading online restaurant reservation provider OpenTable has named its 100 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Canada just in time for the unofficial kickoff to patio season: Victoria Day long weekend. Data shows that Canadians are storming back to restaurants and patios, with May reservations up 61 per cent compared to pre-pandemic 2019. This year’s […]
New data from the U.S. National Restaurant Association has shown how the delta COVID-19 variant drove up the demand for outdoor dining. In a September 2021 survey fielded by the Association, 78 per cent of operators said their restaurant experienced a decline in customer demand for indoor on-premises dining in recent weeks, as a result […]
With outdoor dining on various provinces’ agendas heading into summer, David Hopkins offers the need-to-know. By David Hopkins Two years ago, consumers ranked restaurant patios primarily based on their “vibe”, their menu, and their crowd. Now, getting on for 16 months into the pandemic, that can’t be further from the truth. In 2021, it’s all […]
Ontario is shutting down all indoor and outdoor dining for a minimum of 28 days in response to rising COVID-19 cases. The province’s self-styled “emergency brake” response includes prohibiting all Ontario dining indoors and on patios, just weeks after many establishments had been allowed to re-open for dining and open patios. Takeout, delivery, and drive-thru […]
Applications for Vancouver patios are now open for local businesses. As part of the City’s ongoing support for local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, online applications are now being accepted for a temporary patio on public property for the April 1 to October 31, 2021 patio season. Temporary patios on public property include patios on […]
How can winter patio dining spaces be provided by restaurants without exacerbating COVID-19 transmission and other safety risks?
By Chef Divakar Raju As we approach our third full “season” of COVID-19, it’s not just the infection that is impacting our population, it’s also anxiety, stress, isolation, and depression. In addition to being at higher risk of complications from the illness than other segments of the population, older adults are also vulnerable to the […]
Nearly 8,000 Toronto restaurants and bars, including more than 1,400 with licensed patios, sidewalk cafés, or parklet permits, can now offer delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining.
