Restaurants focus on value during continued inflation

As inflation and the higher cost of living persist, consumers continue to prioritize value as the try to save their pennies. Off-premise dining remains a popular choice for consumers. In fact, in-person dining decreased this month by nine per cent, with the last three months seeing a steady decline in guest counts for restaurants. As […]

The drive-thru evolution

As takeout and off premise dining traffic remains high long after the pandemic, many QSRs are looking to improve their drive-thru service to decrease wait times and boost efficiency. 39 per cent of QSRs report bumper to bumper traffic in the drive-thru, causing longer lines and customer back-up. During the pandemic, when takeout was the […]

The first taste of fall has arrived on menus

As the summer comes to a close and cooler weather arrives, fall’s unofficial favourite flavour – pumpkin spice – is finding its way onto menus earlier and earlier. While fall doesn’t actually arrive until September 23, some QSRs are using back-to-school to launch their fall LTOs in the late summer, starting with the launch of […]

Breakfast sales continue to rise and shine

As more and more Canadians return to the office, breakfast is gaining momentum for commuters. QSRs are benefiting from increased morning traffic that’s ramping up breakfast sales and boosting their bottom lines. 34 per cent of Canadians don’t want to cook breakfast for themselves, and 40 per cent say they eat outside the house in […]

Late-night hours could help boost restaurant revenues

Many restaurants are looking for creative ways to maximize profits, reaching outside of their regular offerings to appeal to more guests and step away from the competition. While some restaurants are decreasing their hours to accommodate labor challenges, others are headed in the opposite direction, adding late-night options instead. RELATED: Shifting consumer spending and its […]

Canadian restaurant chains are going greener

As the recent single-use plastic ban takes effect in Canada, more restaurants are going greener, adjusting their practices to reduce their environmental impact, and addressing consumer demand for higher sustainability from the businesses they frequent. RELATED: Sustainability matters to Canadian consumers With 57 per cent of diners looking for more sustainability from QSRs, some of […]

Ghost kitchens are evolving as restaurant challenges continue

Ghost kitchens popped up during the pandemic as a creative way to keep kitchens open when dining areas were closed. But as the demand for off-premise dining continues to hit record highs, the ghost kitchen concept is evolving. They began as a kind of a mystery, with many ghost kitchens opening in secret locations, allowing […]

QSR diners prefer engaging with staff over technology

A new white paper from JLL’s Big Red Rooster has suggested that diners still prefer engaging with staff at quick-service restaurants (QSR) to a fully technological experience. Most consumers still prefer working with staff throughout their dining experience, reports the research. Over half (54 per cent) want help navigating the menu, 59 per cent want […]

The increasing importance of loyalty programs

Loyalty programs have become a vital tool for many restaurant operations. They’re nothing new in the foodservice space, but they are certainly evolving as a differentiator in a crowded industry. Not only providing an incentive for customers to come back and spend more money but also making it easier for them to do so in […]

Burger King Canada appoints new president amid shifting focus

Burger King has appointed Tom Curtis, its Chief Operating Officer, as president of its operations in the Americas. Curtis will oversee the chain’s Burger King Canada and Burger King U.S. business.  Curtis, who replaces outgoing Burger King Americas president Chris Finazzo, joined several months ago with 35 years of experience as a franchisee and ultimately […]