hospitality

Retail Insider “Food Service Report”: Scale, Value and New Formats Reshape Canadian Restaurants

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service Report examines resilient restaurant spending, tougher traffic competition, franchise platform growth, value-led QSR strategy, coffee and breakfast pressure, and the growing role of food halls, mixed-use projects and flexible formats.

Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service: Scale, Value and New Formats

Craig Patterson -
Canadian food service remained resilient in Q2 2026 as operators competed for traffic through value offers, franchise growth, coffee competition, wellness concepts, menu upgrades, and new real estate formats.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Rick Rabba says FIFA good for business, Canada looks to grow more food and rely less on imports, Saskatchewan minimum wage going up, St. Albert retail robberies concern, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 26, 2026

Retail Insider -
Flying Tiger enters Canada with competition, Saks Global rebrands, Lululemon directors approved, Metro strike hits earnings, retail theft pilot in Ottawa sees crime reduction, and other news.

Fran Deck, Steward of Toronto Landmark Fran’s Restaurant, Dies at 89

Craig Patterson -
Fran Deck, longtime steward of Toronto's historic Fran's Restaurant, has died at age 89. His legacy lives on through one of the city's most enduring dining institutions.

Daily Synopsis: May 25, 2026

Retail Insider -
Ontario eyes highway licence-plate cameras to address retail theft, Billy Biship Airport unveils walkthrough duty free store, Yonge-Eglinton Centre begins renos, and other news.

Canadiens Playoffs Drive Restaurant Spending Surge in Montreal

Lee Rivett -
Moneris data shows Canadiens playoff games boosted restaurant spending near the Bell Centre and across Montreal during the NHL postseason.

Daily Synopsis: May 19, 2026

Retail Insider -
Inflation up due to gasoline, inside the wave of jewellery heists in Canada, clearance begins at Warehouse One and Bootlegger, retail crime claims another Winnipeg 7-Eleven, Robert Kenneth Irving passes, and other news.

Liberty Entertainment Group Celebrates 40 Years of Shaping Toronto’s Hospitality Evolution

Craig Patterson -
Liberty Entertainment Group marks 40 years after helping transform Toronto through immersive dining, nightlife, entertainment, and experiential hospitality.

“Ask for Angela” Expands Across Toronto Ahead of Major Events

Craig Patterson -
Retail locations across Toronto expand “Ask for Angela,” embedding safety support in everyday shopping environments ahead of major events.

Valentine’s Day Spending in Canada Jumps 48%: Moneris

Craig Patterson -
Moneris data shows Valentine’s Day spending rose 48% week-over-week, with florists, restaurants and grocery leading gains.

Staffing issues biggest concerns for hospitality industry: Silverware POS

Mario Toneguzzi -
Staff shortages remain the primary operational barrier for providing seamless service across all demographics, industries, and regions (31% overall).

Truman to bring 3 Marriott International brands to Calgary

Mario Toneguzzi -
Annually, Truman expects the development will contribute over $120 million in GDP from hotel operations and an additional $111 million from visitor spending, generating nearly $76 million in government revenues

Payroll employment declining in retail and hospitality sectors: Statistics Canada

Mario Toneguzzi -
Payroll employment in retail trade decreased by 8,400 (-0.4%) in March, continuing an overall downward trend that began in February 2023.

Just 5% of small businesses saw a sales boost from the GST/HST holiday: CFIB

Mario Toneguzzi -
By all accounts the government’s GST holiday was a flop for small businesses, says the CFIB.
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