March 12, 2025 - Toronto, ON: Today, Square released its first Canadian Quarterly Restaurant Report, with this edition focused on full-service restaurants (FSRs). The report below brings together data and insights from across Square Canada’s food and beverage sellers and consumer surveys to examine dining trends, along with shifts in consumer spending and restaurant wages.

Canadians are rethinking date night

For 71% of Canadian consumers, cost is more of a factor this year than last when deciding whether to dine out, according to a new survey released by Square and commissioned by Leger.

While dining out used to be commonplace, 62% of Canadians now say they will reserve it for special occasions while only 12% still plan to eat out regularly. But for a small sector of would-be diners (10%), dining out is now being reserved for one thing: Date Night.

Jad Sfeir, owner of J’s Steak Frites in Toronto, has noticed the shift. “We’re definitely seeing a lot more reservations for two people, as well as an increase in large group requests, and people are indicating their celebrations when booking,” said Sfeir. “At the same time, bookings for four to six people have really dropped off, indicating we’re providing the backdrop for either a great date or special occasion in most cases. And we’re happy to be able to give our patrons a night to remember.”

Canadians are also considering alternatives for a night of romance out on the town. For example, cooking for a partner is a show of love, and 29% say they will opt to stay in and cook over going out.

The year of deliberate dining at FSRs

Outside of dates and special occasions, Canadians are being more deliberate about the decisions they make when choosing to go out for a sit-down dinner this year.

For 61% of respondents, the simple solution for managing spending on food is to dine out less often than last year. Still, Canadians love a good meal that they don’t have to cook themselves. As such, 46% said they still dine out, but will opt for less expensive, more casual restaurants over higher-end establishments.

Just over a quarter of respondents (26%) said they would simply cut out appetizers, cocktails or desserts in order to still have a night out, while 18% said they could save money but still dine out by swapping more expensive dinners with breakfasts, brunches or lunches.

Average cheque remains level, even as wages see steady growth

Canadians’ shrinking appetites for dining out will increase pressure on an industry already grappling with economic uncertainty and rising food costs.

For full-service restaurants using Square, average cheque amounts have remained relatively flat over the past two years, from $51.64 in December 2022 to $52.98 in December 2024, which amounts to a decrease when adjusted for inflation.

At the same time, hourly wages for full-service restaurant workers using Square have seen steady growth, increasing 7.74% from a national average of $16.27 to $17.53 between December 2022 and December 2024.

According to Square’s recent Future of Commerce Report, in order to manage costs, 69% of Canadian restaurant operators plan to raise prices in 2025, while 89% are planning to invest in automation technology and AI to improve their businesses this year, and create operational efficiencies.

“Despite inflation easing, restaurants in Canada are continuing to face a number of challenges in their operations, whether it’s fluctuating food prices, employee retention, or ballooning payroll costs. Many restaurants are grappling with how to balance these increased expenses while still offering affordability to customers. We’ve seen some restaurants lean on automation and other time-saving technology to keep margins under control,” said Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square.

For more information about how Square’s integrated ecosystem of commerce products can help restaurants start, run and grow, visit https://squareup.com/ca/en/point-of-sale/restaurants.

This last Thursday, February 17th, the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association (MRFA) held its annual Gala event where over 360 members of the foodservice industry in Manitoba gathered to celebrate the industry.
With greetings from the province of Manitoba and the city of Winnipeg, guests were entertained by by Keith Macpherson and the event was hosted by Joe Aiello. The Gates, where the event was held, put out a fantastic dinner under the direction of Ray Louie.
This year, Shaun Jefferies, MRFA president, introduced the first ever Awards Ceremony recognizing honourees Doug Stephen, Gord Howard, and Steve Hrousalas.
Doug Stephen’s dedication and commitment to reinventing hospitality through WOW Hospitality have inspired others to excel, setting a benchmark for passion in the food service industry. Stephen's proven record of exceptional generosity, coupled with his dedication to philanthropy, exemplifies outstanding civic and charitable responsibility for all others to follow.
Steve Hrousalas, former owner of the iconic Rae & Jerries, was honoured for creating a foundation of growth in Manitoba’s food service industry. His commitment has inspired excellence and driven progress, leaving a permanent mark on the restaurant community. Hrousala’s leadership, mentorship, generosity, and passion have ensured the vitality of this industry for generations to come.
Gord Howard of the Keg was also honoured for nurturing minds with a common vision toward exceptional goals. His dedication to the food service industry has proved this, with the exceptional feats he has achieved and the single-minded commitment he has shown towards our industry's viability through years of tireless service.

CALGARY, AB, March 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada Beef invites Canadians to celebrate local restaurants by nominating and voting for their favourite beef dishes in the Best Canadian Beef Dishes Contest. This nationwide competition encourages diners to support local and showcase the best in beef via the Canadian Beef Information Restaurant Gateway (Restaurant Gateway).

The contest offers Canadians an opportunity to nominate their most-loved beef dishes at local restaurants, with a chance for someone in each region to win $200 for participating as nominators. The contest will also crown a restaurant winner from each province, with each provincial champion advancing to the national finale. Provincial winners will receive a prize pack valued at $1000, and the national winner will take home a grand prize valued at $5000.

The nomination window will run from March until November 30, 2025, giving Canadians ample time to try local beef dishes and nominate their favourites.

"It's more important than ever to support local," says Director of the Canadian Beef Information Restaurant Gateway, Kelly Hyde. "The Best Canadian Beef Dishes Contest allows Canadians an opportunity to champion their most-loved beef dishes on the Restaurant Gateway for others to discover and enjoy while serving as a reminder of the vital role that restaurants play in our communities."

The Restaurant Gateway is an online hub dedicated to celebrating Canada's high-quality beef and the farmers and ranchers who produce it. This comprehensive resource features a Where to Eat directory, helping diners discover restaurant chains that serve Canadian beef, along with insights into the restaurant industry's beneficial impact on local communities. Restaurant Gateway visitors can explore exclusive videos from farmers, ranchers and chefs from across the country, highlighting their dedication to Canadian beef.

The Restaurant Gateway will also house the Best Canadian Beef Dishes Contest and over time, offer diners in each province a list of nominated restaurants serving delicious beef dishes.

For more information about the Best Canadian Beef Dishes Contest or to nominate, visit the Restaurant Gateway.

TORONTO, March 8, 2025 /CNW/ - This International Women's Day, Guac Mexi Grill proudly celebrates the leadership of Trushna Makadia, a trailblazer of Indian heritage redefining the Canadian fast-casual dining landscape. As the driving force behind the brand, Trushna combines a passion for bold, authentic flavours with 16 years of expertise in hospitality and business leadership.

Since founding the brand in 2016, Trushna has transformed Guac Mexi Grill into a beloved destination for fresh, high-quality ingredients and an inviting guest experience. Under her leadership, the brand continues to expand across Canada, bringing vibrant Mexican-inspired cuisine to communities while maintaining a commitment to efficiency, innovation, and exceptional service.

"As a woman and an immigrant, I am proud to lead a Canadian brand that celebrates diversity, quality, and the communities we serve," says Trushna Makadia, Founder and President of Guac Mexi Grill. "International Women's Day is a reminder that with vision and perseverance, women can shape industries and create lasting legacies."

Trushna's strategic vision focuses on redefining fast-casual dining through a seamless guest experience, embracing new technologies, and fostering a workplace culture where innovation and diversity thrive. Her leadership not only drives business growth but also empowers future generations of women in business.

Guac Mexi Grill's ongoing expansion reflects Trushna's commitment to making bold flavors accessible while maintaining the warmth and hospitality that define the brand. As the company looks ahead, her mission remains clear: to deliver exceptional quality and service while inspiring more women to pursue leadership roles in the restaurant industry and beyond.

Learn more at www.guacmexigrill.ca.