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 […]

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 […]

Most diners want QR codes as a long-term payment option

Restaurant operators, staff, and patrons have embraced increased technology over the past couple of years, both by preference and necessity. QR codes, which had existed prior to the pandemic but have surged in prominence since 2020, look like they’re here to stay. At first, part of that motivation was an early belief that COVID-19 spread […]

New Lightspeed Restaurant platform launches in North America

Lightspeed Restaurant, a unified hospitality commerce and point-of-sale (POS) platform, has launched in Canada and the United States as a new solution for foodservice operations. Recognizing that indoor dining traffic is resurgent amid fundamentally altered conditions and business needs, Montreal-founded Lightspeed has collaborated with the likes of Upserve, Gastrofix, Kounta, and iKentoo to offer a […]

Comparing merchant services and POS systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has had many far-reaching impacts on foodservice and hospitality. One of them is the proliferation of POS systems. The industry was already trending towards technological innovation in both front and back of house before the last 18 months, but revamping POS systems has become an increased focus for many operators since the […]

Restaurant technology: What to invest in & what to skip

By Mo Chaar The restaurant industry is an ever-changing technological landscape. The pandemic has shifted guest expectations and restaurants are now required to be tech-savvy and offer online ordering, pay-at-the-table functions, third-party delivery, and more. However, with restaurants already struggling in the current climate, most businesses don’t have the financial resources to invest in expensive […]

Square software now available in Canada as a standalone

Square KDS has launched as a standalone subscription in Canada and beyond, making the kitchen display software available to all restaurant sellers — including those that don’t require taking orders on a POS or advanced functionality and simply need a KDS to manage and fulfil orders from online ordering and delivery partners.  Square first announced […]

Optimizing third-party integrations: How restaurants can save money

By Mo Chaar Varying stages of lockdowns across the country have restaurants nationwide optimizing online ordering and delivery in an effort to maintain service despite ongoing dining bans. While the restaurant industry has relied heavily on these services during the pandemic, after a year of primarily takeout and delivery, restaurants are feeling the weight of […]

Outlasting the pandemic: How tech is helping restaurants evolve

By Mo Chaar As restaurants grapple with ongoing closures throughout the pandemic, it’s clear that dining as we know it might never be the same. Bans on indoor dining in provinces like British Columbia have been detrimental as businesses watch Ontario’s restaurant industry with bated breath, which has already been set back more than $100 […]

Square for Restaurants launches in Canada to help recovering industry

Resilience has been the backbone of the Canadian food and beverage industry in recent months, as it adapts to COVID-19 restrictions. Now, restaurants across Canada can leverage the power of even more Square tools to their advantage and ever-changing needs. Launching in Canada, Square for Restaurants is an all-in-one specialized point of sale that brings […]