Capturing diners across all demographics has always been part of the challenge for restaurants. Attracting Gen Z is a unique test, particularly in the current economic and social climate. Gen Z have less disposable money and more competition for how to spend that money than perhaps any other generation in recent history. Throw in the […]
A new report has found that 43 per cent of all small business owners in Canada reported they could not afford to pay their rent in June. Alignable’s June Rent Report notes that figure was up four per cent from May amid record rising inflation. More than half (55 per cent) of Canadian small business owners […]
The rapid evolution of technology has long been redefining restaurant consumers’ concept of “normal”. Think of the move from laminated print menus as a standard to QR codes or ordering kiosks. Now, the next step may well be the metaverse. A new Paytronix and PYMNTS Report, The Digital Divide: Technology, The Metaverse, and the Future […]
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 […]
A new authoritative report has found that nearly half of diners engage with a customer loyalty program in at least one way in at least one type of restaurant, and adds that mobile apps appear to be the key to maximizing this interest. PYMNTS and Paytronix’s Digital Divide Report: Minding The Loyalty Gap has spotlighted […]
The increasing prominence and profitability of off-premises dining has been a prominent accelerated shift throughout the pandemic. Now and moving forward, restaurants must realize that appealing to the multiplatform customer is vital for survival and success. Financial services company Rabobank estimates that even coming into COVID-19, off-premises sales had increased nearly four times faster than […]
Despite improving COVID-19 numbers, the Omicron variant has hurt Canadian restaurants badly in recent weeks and the pain continues to be felt. A new report from Alignable based on a survey conducted in late January shows that 80 per cent of responding restaurants across Canada and the U.S. said that they have been hurt by […]
Ready-to-make meal kits have surged in popularity during the pandemic with indoor dining off the table for so much of the last two years. The question now is whether they will endure. A new Canadian study by Empathy Inc. in partnership with Vividata suggests that, while the appeal of these kits varies based on demographic, […]
Restaurant owners have some serious and understandable concerns over the rise of the Omicron COVID-19 variant and the effect it may have on their business. Infection rates and hospitalizations are climbing again across Canada and the U.S. due to both the Delta variant that has been present for the last few months and the newer […]
It seems many diners are now being more generous with their gratuities, as a new report has found that the majority of patrons now tip 20 per cent or more. A survey of U.S. consumers conducted by Popmenu found that 58 per cent of consumers say they have increased the amount they typically tip servers […]
