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Toronto, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Less than half of Canadians (43%) believe the federal government is putting enough of a priority on making life more affordable, according to a new public opinion poll conducted by spark*insights on behalf of Restaurants Canada. Restaurants Canada is urging the federal government to make a firm commitment to improve affordability by reducing payroll taxes for employees and employers in its upcoming Fall Economic Statement.

“Canadians are struggling with the cost of living and that’s having a knock-on effect on sectors like foodservices, where we’re seeing fewer guests and smaller orders, even in the usually busy summer season,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Something has to give and that’s why we’re asking the federal government to relieve some of the pressure on employers and let workers keep more of their paycheques by reducing payroll tax.”

Nearly eight in 10 Canadians (77%) say they would benefit from government reducing payroll taxes, with 42% saying it would have a major positive impact on them and their family.

Canadians earning $50,000 a year pay $830 of that in Employment Insurance (EI) while their employer pays an additional $1,162. Provinces also levy their own payroll taxes, reducing take-home pay even further. Restaurants Canada is asking the federal government to provide some immediate relief by introducing a 2% reduction in EI payroll tax.

“Workers and employers need a break. Payroll taxes are taking a bigger bite out of Canadians’ take-home pay and are making it more expensive for employers to hire or raise wages. The easiest way to deliver some immediate relief would be to lower EI payroll tax for both employers and employees. This is a straightforward solution that government has employed before and we need to see it again,” concluded Richard Alexander, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Restaurants Canada.

 
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Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy delivered the Ford Government’s Fall Economic Statement. The Statement included a series of welcome initiatives that will benefit the foodservice industry.

The province formally announced plans to send $200 cheques to 15 million eligible Ontarians. In the lead up to the announcement the Premier has specifically called out his belief that putting money back into the pockets of Ontarians will help spur an increase in restaurant spending. Of the $3B to be returned to Ontarians early in 2025, Restaurants Canada conservatively estimates that restaurants could enjoy a boost in revenue of roughly $2K-$5K each. While a one-time initiative, the timing of this funding is important because we likely have another one to two years of Canadians renewing their mortgages at higher rates than what they are presently paying.

The province also announced it will soon proceed with a formal consultation on wholesale pricing and tax on alcohol. This commitment comes after a sustained effort from Restaurants Canada to urge the government to consult on the future of wholesale pricing. This represents a significant and timely opportunity for our members whose businesses include alcohol sales. In 2022, the Ford Government delivered a 10% cut in prices restaurants and bars pay in products purchased at the LCBO, a move that saved our industry an estimated $60M per year, or roughly $6K to $7K for the average restaurant. Restaurants Canada worked over the summer in anticipation of this announcement and will advocate for deeper discounts on all products sold to restaurants and bars through the LCBO and for wholesale pricing to be extended to beer after the expiry of the Master Framework Agreement on January 1, 2025.

The full Fall Economic Statement can be found here: 2024 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review — Building Ontario for You

Other Items of Note

  • Additional information regarding the government’s commitments on alcohol policy can be found on page 102.
  • Funding for Skills Training – Ontario will increase investment in the Skills Development Fund Training Stream by up to an additional $260 million in the current fifth round of the fund. The province is also supporting programs that will encourage more Ontarians to take up skilled trades and that will help low-income women and those leaving the correctional system to find work in high-demand sectors (see pages 109-111).
  • Property Assessment - The government is continuing to review the property assessment and taxation system. Provincewide property tax reassessments will continue to be deferred until this work is complete. We will continue to monitor this item (see page 85 for more details, note – nothing specific mentioned for commercial).

Extending the gas tax freeze - The province plans to further extend the temporary gas tax and fuel tax rate cuts so that the rate of tax on gasoline and fuel (diesel) would remain at 9 cents per litre until June 30, 2025.

 
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A new flavour in the same ready-to-use format developed specifically for the Food Service industry, Frank’s RedHot Mango Habanero Wings Sauce is perfectly blended to deliver consistent flavour and heat to your menu items.

With 58% of people proclaiming they either like or love spicy flavours, this sweet-spicy blend is a crowd pleaser for all.

Bring this trending flavour to your menu to keep customers coming back for more!

 
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Mississauga, ON (October 29, 2024) – Little Caesars, the third largest pizza chain in the world, is celebrating its 55th year of franchising in Canada by accelerating its development efforts across target markets, including the Greater Toronto Area, and opening new locations with ambitious franchise groups. Today, the company announced it is debuting an express restaurant in Mississauga on November 8. Located at 2330 Battleford Road in the Waypoint Convenience store located in the Mobil fuel station, Little Caesars is making it easier than ever for anyone on the go to enjoy the company’s iconic menu offerings, including HOT-N-READY® pizza, Caesar Wings™ and Crazy Bread®.

The first 100 guests in line at the grand opening will receive a free pizza*. Additional offers will be available for the first 300 guests, including a coupon for a $5 Classic Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza to use on their next visit to Little Caesars, as well as an Esso/Mobil Fuel Discount Card offering a $0.05 per liter discount on fuel for up to 50 liters at Esso™ and Mobil™ gas stations. The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Spearheading the operations of the new express location is BG Fuels, a leading fuel and convenience retailer in Canada that operates almost 250 locations nationwide under the MobilÔ, EssoÔ, and Waypoint ConvenienceÒ brands. This collaboration between the two brands marks BG Fuels’ first Little Caesars, with plans to explore additional express locations in the near future.

“The synergies between our companies have been clear from the beginning and one of the main reasons we knew this partnership was a natural fit,” said Thea Bourne, Partner Marketing Manager at BG Fuels. “Many people that come into the gas station are looking for a quick bite that’ll satisfy their cravings – or those of their families – while running errands. With Little Caesars commitment to providing big flavor in every bite and using only high-quality ingredients, our customers will be just as excited about our partnership with the brand as we are.”

As Little Caesars continues to grow its footprint across Canada, the company is keen on providing franchisees flexible options to choose from that best meets their community’s needs and preferences. Among those is Little Caesars express, which is designed to operate in as little as 450 square feet and requires no more than two employees at a time. Leveraging the gas station’s point of sale system and the brand’s efficient operating model, companies like BG Fuels are able to keep operating costs low and margins high in these types of buildouts.

“We know there’s high demand for our brand across a variety of markets and venues, including gas stations and convenience stores,” said Kevin Winters, Franchise Development Manager at Little Caesars. “With BG Fuels’ industry leadership and commitment to delivering an unmatched guest experience, we are confident this partnership is the start to many great things to come in the future.”

The Little Caesars express will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Little Caesars is actively seeking qualified multi-unit franchise operators to join its team across Canada, including British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. For more information, interested candidates can visit https://littlecaesarsfranchise.ca/.    

*Free Pizza Offer - The offer is only available in-store at the following location: 2330 Battleford Rd, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 3K6. The offer is only available on November 8th starting at 11 AM and ending once all pizzas have been claimed. The first 100 guests will enjoy a Free Medium Classic Pizza (Pepperoni or Cheese). No purchase is necessary. Limit one free pizza per guest. ©2024 LCE, Inc.

 
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NORTH YORK, ON, Sept. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy announced the 10 Canadian finalists today for the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25. The group of talented young chefs will compete this October in Toronto for the chance to be named the Canadian representative in the competition's Grand Finale in October 2025 in Milan, Italy. For 125 years S.Pellegrino has been sparkling tables around the world, connecting cultures, stories, and emotions, and we are honoured to showcase the 10 Canadian finalists and their stories in this celebratory year.

The competition will be judged by an esteemed panel of chefs and culinary influencers to determine the Canadian Young Chef competing in the Grand Finale. The judging panel includes:

  1. Normand Laprise - With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, chef Normand Laprise is a culinary icon in Canada. Renowned for his visionary approach to cuisine, chef Laprise is the mastermind behind Montreal's acclaimed restaurant, Toqué!. His dedication to sourcing the finest local ingredients and pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity has earned him widespread acclaim and numerous prestigious awards.
  2. Jason Bangerter - As the executive chef of Langdon Hall, a Relais & Châteaux property nestled in the picturesque countryside of Cambridge, Ontario, chef Jason Bangerter has established himself as a leading figure in Canadian gastronomy. With a culinary philosophy deeply rooted in seasonality and sustainability, chef Bangerter's innovative dishes reflect his commitment to showcasing the natural bounty of the region.
  3. Nuit Regular - Hailing from the vibrant culinary landscape of Toronto, chef Nuit Regular brings a unique perspective to the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition. As the creative force behind PAI Northern Thai Kitchen, Kiin Chaiyo by PAI, Sukhothai, and Selva, chef Regular's expertise in Thai cuisine and her dedication to preserving authentic flavours and techniques have garnered her widespread recognition and accolades.

Now in its sixth edition, the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition this year received submissions from more than 1,000 young chefs from 15 countries worldwide. Each submission included the chef's signature dish and was evaluated by culinary experts from ALMA, the World's Leading International Educational and Training Centre for Italian Cuisine. The experts assessed each dish based on three criteria: technical skills, creativity, and a personal belief in the transformative power of gastronomy to make a positive change in society through food.

The Canadian regional finalists are:

  1. Stefan Armand, Fairmont Express, Victoria, British Columbia
  2. Anthony Huynh, Enigma Yorkville, Toronto, Ontario
  3. Harun Younussi, Piano Piano, Toronto, Ontario
  4. Karly Ready, The Gate, Flesherton, Ontario
  5. Victoria Rinsma, Hexagon Restaurant, Oakville, Ontario
  6. Mary Louisse Isabelle, Islington Golf Club, Toronto, Ontario
  7. Clement Cavoret, Tanière3, Quebec City, Quebec
  8. Anthony Vien, Tanière3, Quebec City, Quebec
  9. Sébastien Rémillard, Bocuse d'Or Canada - Chefs Canada, Quebec City, Quebec
  10. Terry Boutte, Le Mousso, Montreal, Quebec

"S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition surprises us with every edition. Candidates outdo themselves from year to year, guided by passion and commitment," said Matteo Berti, Head of Education of ALMA. "The selection process was not easy, but now it's up to the shortlisted candidates to show their talents throughout the course of the competition. The best of luck to all of them!"

The Canadian regional final, hosted by TV Personality Pay Chen, will take place on October 23, 2024, at George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario. Each chef contestant will produce their signature dish to be judged by the aforementioned panel of chef judges. One chef will be named the winner and move on to the Grand Finale. At the Grand Finale, finalists from 15 regions across the globe will present their signature dishes to a jury of seven distinguished international chefs, also known as the "Seven Sages". Past "Seven Sages" have included chefs Pía León, Eneko Atxa, Hélène Darroze, Vicky Lau, Nancy Silverton, Julien Royer and Riccardo Camanini.

To see the complete list of Canadian chef finalists or for more information on the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, visit: sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com/regional-finalists-2024/canada.

 

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