Fast-food restaurants face competition from convenience stores

The fast-food market is becoming even more competitive, as convenience stores continue to get attention in this space. With persistent labour shortages, supply chain delays, and the significant growth of off-premise dining, many stores are expanding, capitalizing on higher food margins to help grow their profits. Can convenience stores deliver what diners are looking for? […]

Edmonton proving a popular test market for US chains

US restaurant chains looking to take their first steps into the Western Canadian market are focusing on testing the waters in Edmonton. In recent months, numerous food and beverage chains such as P.F. Chang’s, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, California Pizza Kitchen, and convenience store giant 7-Eleven are focusing on the Albertan city as a launchpad for […]

Food is building a new home in the metaverse

What is the metaverse and how do restaurants fit into it? That’s a question the industry is likely to be pondering more and more over the coming months and years. Some experts predict that the augmented reality of the metaverse could eventually become a multibillion-dollar business with the potential to disrupt and even dominate the […]

Quick-service restaurants are shrinking — by design

Digital is the present and the future for quick-service restaurants, and many major chains are refocusing on smaller physical footprints to increase efficiencies and maximize that potential. Tim Hortons’ U.S. restaurants are getting smaller in an attempt to make the most out of a smaller space and speed up build times, said José Cil, CEO of […]

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 […]

Retaining the divided attention of post-COVID QSR customers

Quick Service Restaurants face an uncertain future. Here’s how they can win in a digital marketplace with customers staying at home. By Peter Klayman With the pandemic altering the definition of “normal” across industries, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) have been amongst the fortunate few able to stay afloat. While foot traffic to fast food and […]

Getting Real with Cleaning Myths

By: Tom Bell, PhD Effective, safe and cost efficient cleaning isn’t as easy as most people assume. Even within the professional community, many cleaning myths exist that perpetuate misconceptions about proper methods and procedures. Below I’ve outlined a few cleaning myths I hear most often. The more cleaning professionals know, and the better trained they […]

Achieving a Proper Sanitation Program for your Foodservice Operation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 48 million Americans (or roughly 1 in 6 people) become sick from foodborne diseases every year. With this in mind, it’s important to recognize the significance of a proper sanitation program and how to best achieve one in any foodservice operation. Implementing a […]

QSRs pave the way for breakfast dining trends

By Geoff Wilson Breakfast has become a significant daypart in Canada’s foodservice industry. However, the recent growth of breakfast in Canadian foodservice has manifested itself more so in quick-service restaurants (“QSR”) rather than full-service restaurants (“FSR”). FSR breakfast traffic and all dollars as a percentage of total foodservice remained relatively flat from 2012 to 2016. […]

Boost customer satisfaction and loyalty through restaurant cleanliness

By Roy Getz, Chairman, Ohio Restaurant Association and P&G Professional Advisory Council Member Customer satisfaction is a key factor in the success of any restaurant and cleanliness plays a big role in that. Happy customers will spread the word about a great restaurant experience, become ambassadors for your brand and loyal patrons. For all of […]