trends


Concept Watch: Neo Coffee, Calle Mexico, Pacifico Pizzeria

By Sophie Mir In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique: Neo Coffee Bar Facebook: 2,584 likes | Instagram: 12,880 followers | Twitter: 732 followers Locations: 2 (Toronto) Concept […]

Trend Watch: Jerusalem artichoke, Asian teas and nontraditional pastas

By Sophie Mir Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, forward-thinking restaurants are working to revamp their menus to keep up with the changing tastes of the Canadian public. The following are up-and-coming ingredients and dishes that will surely make a splash on restaurant menus in May 2020 and beyond. Jerusalem Artichoke Also known as a sunchoke, […]

Q&A with Jeremiah Batucan: ‘There’s no place more social than a bar’

Interview by Gregory Furgala CRFN took a moment to chat with the Nightclub & Bar Show’s Jeremiah Batucan, who moderated the bar roundtable discussion at the 2019 Canadian Restaurant & Bar Show. Batucan shared his insight into the bar and nightclub scene, sharing details from the NC&B’s 2019 Bar and Beverage Report and offering his […]

Trend Watch: Mediterranean flair, spicy condiments and coconut-flavoured sweets

By Sophie Mir Over the long term, Canadians have become more accepting of global fare and spicier dishes, prompting operators to explore the world for different menu ideas. While the specifics change from month to month, Technomic has identified Mediterranean flavours and spicy bowls as the latest popular iterations of those larger trends. On the sweet side […]

Small Dishes, Big Flavours: The daypart trends to look out for

By Sherry Tseng Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but don’t be so quick to dismiss the impact of lunch and dinner. While the breakfast daypart is gaining ground, lunch and dinner still dominate the majority share of restaurant traffic, with lunch being the largest revenue driver for the foodservice […]

Spirited Trends: Classics remain, but cocktail programs are getting bolder

By Sophie Mir Some things never change, and guests sipping spirits and cocktails during a night on the town is one of them. According to Technomic’s 2017 Adult Beverage Canadian Insights, a collection of data, surveys and analyses of restaurant customers drinking preferences, enjoying alcoholic beverages continues to be a staple guest experience in restaurants. […]

Concept Watch: Lovepizza, Union Chicken and Holy Grill

By Sophie Mir In this edition of Concept Watch, we highlight three restaurants that are making an impact on Canadian diners, including a pair of fast-casuals from Alberta and a new-ish Ontario chicken joint. Below, we look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique. Lovepizza The Numbers Locations: 2 (Edmonton and St. Albert) […]

Trend Report: Mealtimes give way to all-day eating

By Jo-Ann McArthur Disruption in when and how we eat is one of the key trends explored in the 2018 Nourish Trend Report. Consumers are leaving their three square meals behind, yet that doesn’t seem to be how most foodservice outlets plan their menus. Busy 21st-century lives mean traditional meal times are starting to be […]