As we head towards the holiday season, restaurateurs are often scrambling to put together a scheduling puzzle that factors in labour shortages, increased traffic, family commitments, private bookings, and more, as they work to manage higher traffic and offer exceptional guest experiences. Get ahead Planning ahead will make the process much easier on your and […]
September is a month of transition for many restaurant operators, as student employees return to school, traffic levels decline for the fall season, and patio space is no longer in such hot demand. Operators can become overwhelmed with these seasonal challenges, and a fresh approach can help get a better handle on fall operations. Here […]
By Jenna Oosterholt Every few months the conversation resurfaces: Should we eliminate tipping? On the surface, it sounds like a simple solution. Pay everyone a higher hourly wage and remove tips altogether. But eliminating tip culture would kill more than half, if not all of your favourite restaurants. The reality is that most independent restaurants […]
By Danny Murrell As Canadian restaurants, foodservice operators, and staffing agencies gear up for the busy summer season — packed with staycations, concerts, and sporting events — one thing stays the same every year: the summer rush is rarely predictable. Effective seasonal staffing is the secret to turning what could be a major operational headache […]
This time of year brings brighter days, new ideas, and fresh flavours. Our Spring/Summer issue of Canadian Restaurant & Foodservice News magazine looks ahead to increased traffic, shifting dining habits, and strategic ways that restaurant operators can continue to thrive throughout the season. As the weather warms up, operators need to prepare for a summer […]
As restaurateurs prepare for busy patios and increased walk-ins, they are also navigating seasonal turnover and hot conditions, as they work to manage operations successfully. From equipment overload to staff turnover, operators have to plan ahead, stay organized, and be ready to pivot as issues arise throughout the summer. Here are some of the summer […]
By Sydney Hussey Ontario restaurant operators are constantly adapting to staffing shortages, rising costs and changing customer expectations. Many restaurants may “push through” sweeping workplace changes. Yet with restaurant teams already operating at full capacity, asking employees to work harder is no longer a sustainable strategy. A pan-Canadian survey from the Future Skills Centre’s Mind […]
Patio season has arrived in Ontario, as we head deeper into spring and we welcome summer weather. Getting your patio open early means doubling your seating capacity, attracting guests who want to enjoy the weather, and getting a jump on building seasonal loyalty. Studies show that patio visits can include 40 per cent of daily […]
As we get closer to the first warm long weekend of the season, many operators will be looking for ways to drive traffic and raise revenues. Spring and summer offer unique opportunities for operators to capitalize on long weekends with outdoor space, seasonal offerings, and streamlined operations. Be patio-ready Even if it isn’t quite warm […]
As foodservice industry faces persistent challenges like labour shortages, rising prices, and supply chain uncertainly, wage increases are set to continue in 2026 in two Canadian provinces. According to Technomic’s recent Industry Insights report, Nova Scotia raised its minimum wage to $16.50 in October of last year, and has scheduled two additional increases in April […]
