Toronto’s DineTOgether opens registration to support local restaurants

The City of Toronto has opened registration for DineTOgether, part of the ShowLoveTO initiative, which aims to support the recovery of local restaurants and celebrate Toronto’s diverse culinary scene. DineTOgether will run from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, October 3, 2021 to encourage residents to patronize local eateries through a feature menu available by takeout, […]

Federal government extends wage and rent subsidies

The federal government is extending its existing wage and rent subsidies until late October in a move that should boost the recovery prospects of small businesses and restaurants. The Government of Canada announced on July 30 that supports including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS), and Lockdown Support will be […]

Ontario RABS Fund helping secure restaurants’ future

Assistance from inside and outside the Canadian foodservice industry has been vital to so many operators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vastly reduced traffic and revenues, staffing challenges, and the myriad other issues caused by the pandemic have seen restaurants close from coast to coast in Canada, in many cases permanently. In many cases, governmental support […]

Foodservice mental health crisis sparks major support program

As prolonged COVID-19 related lockdowns continue across Canada, the restaurant and foodservice sector has reached a critical point when it comes to mental health. Survival of the industry as a whole may not be an option if viable widespread relief doesn’t arrive soon. A major casualty of this crisis is a growing mental health epidemic […]

P.E.I. Dine-In & Save program offers half-price indoor dining

Prince Edward Island has launched a Dine In & Save program aimed at saving patrons money on their indoor dining cheques and stimulating the indoor dining industry in the province. The Dine In & Save initiative, running Sunday through Wednesday from March 21 to March 31, 2021, will see the P.E.I. government reimburse participating restaurateurs up to […]

ORHMA’s Hospitality Stay Strong mental health support portal goes live

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) has officially launched its extensive Hospitality Stay Strong mental health portal to support the foodservice industry during these tough times. ORHMA notes there continues to be a rise in concern about the mental health of the industry’s employees, supervisors, managers, and owners. “We have heard from many […]

Sysco Canada launches campaign to support restaurants

Sysco Canada, the country’s largest foodservice company, has announced the launch of its “Keep Local Restaurants on the Menu” campaign. The company says this is its latest effort under its Foodies Unite initiative, which aims to help heal the restaurant industry in Canada and support communities impacted by the pandemic. As part of the campaign, […]

Creating change in your restaurant: From concept to cultural reality

By Matt Rolfe Have you or your leadership team ever come up with a concept that you passionately agreed was the best idea or direction forward for your team or business, yet the idea failed or did not get implemented? This is commonplace for so many businesses and it is the difference between average and […]