St. Louis, MO – February 11, 2026 –, a leading managed service provider delivering remote video monitoring, commercial security systems, business intelligence, and network services for multi-location enterprises, today announced that the fast-food hamburger chain, White Castle, has successfully piloted Interface's AI-powered exterior security solution - Virtual Perimeter Guard™ at a high-risk St. Louis location. The pilot delivered measurable reductions in loitering, late-night incidents, and security escalations while improving safety for employees and customers. 

The pilot focused on a location experiencing after-hours security challenges, including loitering, open-air drug use, customer pestering in drive-thru lanes, and repeated vandalism that cost thousands of dollars per incident.

Within the first 30 days of deployment, 91% of perimeter security events were resolved automatically through AI detection and live voice deterrence. The site saw a significant reduction in loitering, a reduced need for morning trash clearing, and late-night escalation calls dropped from about once a week to none. White Castle also reported improved employee morale, a stronger sense of safety, and increased customer comfort while waiting in late-night drive-thru lines.

“Sometimes we don’t even realize something bad may be happening, and the Interface Security experts are already intervening and telling potential criminals to leave,” said Cheryl Soest, District Supervisor at White Castle. “That allows our team to focus on serving customers instead of worrying about what’s happening outside.”

Proactive Perimeter Protection Replaces Reactive Security

Unlike traditional exterior cameras or prerecorded warning systems that are often ignored, Virtual Perimeter Guard combines AI-powered detection, escalating voice downs with powerful strobe lighting, and live security professionals who intervene in real time. The White Castle Virtual Perimeter Guard system is armed nightly when exterior visibility is limited.

“People don’t take prerecorded messages seriously,” Soest added. “When the lights come on, and a live person speaks, they move. They don’t wait around.”

“What this deployment of Virtual Perimeter Guard demonstrates is the shift from reactive security to proactive prevention,” said Steve Womer, Senior Vice President of Product at Interface Systems. “By combining AI detection with live human intervention, Virtual Perimeter Guard stops issues before they escalate into property damage, safety incidents, or operational disruption. White Castle’s results show how perimeter intelligence can directly improve safety, reduce cost exposure, and give operators peace of mind without adding burden to store teams.”

Safety Gains Without Operational Disruption

Installation and onboarding were completed without disrupting restaurant operations. Interface Systems managed system tuning, testing, and ongoing monitoring, while White Castle leadership received weekly insight reports, eliminating the need for on-site staff to actively monitor footage.

“We didn’t have to worry about anything,” Soest said. “They handled installation, testing, and walked us through everything step by step. The whole process was very easy.”

Supporting Employees, Customers, and Communities

Beyond loss prevention, White Castle noted improvements in employee confidence and customer experience, particularly during late-night operations, where perceptions of safety directly affect retention and traffic.

“If customers feel safe coming onto your lot, and team members feel safe working there, it improves your business,” Soest said.

Following these positive early results, White Castle is evaluating full-perimeter coverage at the pilot location and potential expansion to additional restaurants with similar challenges.

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Richmond, BC, February 10, 2026 – Yatto (at last). Aburi Restaurants Canada and River Rock Casino Resort are excited to announce that Miku Richmond will begin welcoming guests with an official soft opening on February 17, 2026, giving diners an early opportunity to experience the restaurant’s award-winning contemporary Japanese cuisine ahead of its official grand opening. A formal opening date will be announced for March. Limited reservations can be made now.

Miku Richmond is Aburi Restaurants Canada’s second Metro Vancouver location, bringing its signature dishes and hospitality to Richmond. The nearly 4,900-square-foot space features 80 seats, including a sushi counter.

“We have many loyal guests who are either travellers to our beautiful province or live in Richmond. River Rock is an ideal setting for our second Miku location in Metro Vancouver, especially given its proximity to the airport,” explains Seigo Nakamura, Founder and CEO, Aburi Restaurants Canada. “This soft opening is an exciting milestone for our team – they have been working very hard behind-the-scenes to prepare Miku Richmond for guests to finally experience for the first time.”

At launch, the kitchen is led by Aburi Restaurants Canada’s executive chef, Kazuhiro Hayashi, ensuring the same culinary excellence and consistency that have defined the Miku brand for nearly two decades. Front-of-house operations are led by Barnaby Malong, longtime general manager of sister restaurant Minami.

The restaurant’s design reflects Miku’s renowned aesthetic, with a beautiful centrepiece artwork by long-time Japanese artist collaborator Hideki Kimura, whose signature print anchors the dining room.

The menu features many of Miku’s most celebrated favourites, including its iconic Aburi Oshi Sushi, Ebi Fritters, Iwate Wagyu Carpaccio, Spicy Kaisen Soba Peperoncino, and Saikyo Miso Sablefish, alongside traditional nigiri sushi selections and sashimi platters. Desserts include the restaurant’s beloved Green Tea Opera, a signature that has been on Miku Vancouver’s menu since day one.

“We are delighted to welcome Miku Richmond to River Rock Casino Resort as we continue to elevate our culinary experiences,” says Rick Pak, Assistant General Manager of River Rock Casino Resort. “Anyone who has dined at any of Aburi Restaurants Canada’s establishments, including Miku Vancouver, understands the exceptional quality and artistry behind their cuisine. This soft opening marks the beginning of what will be an exciting new dining destination for our guests.”

The expansion to Richmond continues Miku’s legacy, which began in Coal Harbour in 2008 and expanded to Toronto a decade later. Known for its innovative use of West Coast ingredients and Japanese flavours, Miku is widely credited with pioneering and popularizing Aburi Oshi Sushi in Canada.

Miku Richmond is located at 8811 River Road in Richmond, B.C, inside the River Rock Casino Resort. Its soft opening begins February 17, 2026 with limited capacity, with a grand opening date to be announced shortly for March.

For more information, visit .

Toronto, ON – has announced the competitors for this year’s culinary and beverage competitions, taking place between March 8-10 at The International Centre in Mississauga. The foodservice and hospitality event will bring together industry leaders, innovators and top food and beverage talent from across the country, featuring an exciting lineup of live competitions showcasing culinary excellence and master beverage skills.

WHEN: RC Show 2026

• Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10

WHERE: The International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga, ON

WHAT: RC Show 2026 Culinary & Beverage Competitions

From chefs to baristas, and mixologists to oyster shuckers, competitors will go head-to-head for prizes and industry recognition in the following events:

• Garland Canada Culinary Competition
• • Culinary Stage | Hall 3
  • Semi-Finals: Sunday, March 8 from 10am to 4:45pm
  • Finals: Monday, March 9 from 10am to 2:30pm

        Please find Garland Canada Culinary Competition Competitors

        Don’t forget to

• Restaurants Canada Pizza Competition
  • RC Pizza Stage | Hall 2
  • Sunday, March 8 from 10:30am to 4pm
  • Monday, March 9 from 10:30am to 4pm

        Please find Restaurants Canada Pizza Competition Competitors .

• The Great Burger Showdown - NEW
  • Culinary Stage | Hall 3
  • Tuesday, March 10 from 1pm to 4pm

        Please find The Great Burger Showdown Competitors .

• Beyond the Rail Cocktail Competition
  • Bar & Beverage Stage | Hall 1
  • Tuesday, March 10 from 10am to 12:30pm

        Please find Beyond the Rail Cocktail Competition Competitors .

• John Bil Oyster Shucking Competition
  • Pro Category
  • Amateur Category - NEW
  • Bar & Beverage Stage | Hall 1
  • Tuesday, March 10 from 2pm to 4pm

• 3-Day National Latte Art Championship
  • Coffee Stage | Hall 5
  • Sunday, March 8 from 10:15am to 5pm
  • Monday, March 9 from 10:15am to 5pm
  • Tuesday, March 10 from 10:15am to 4pm

If interested in competing, register

WHY: RC Show is Canada’s leading foodservice and hospitality trade event, uniting thousands of professionals with networking opportunities, education, product showcases, and competitive excitement. Competitions not only spotlight top talent, but also celebrate innovation and craft across the industry.

VICTORIA, BC (February 9, 2026) – The wait is officially over. One of Victoria’s most beloved spaces is welcoming guests once again, ushering in a new era for a storied location inside . The Bengal has reopened as the hotel’s breakfast room, marking chapter one of an evolving vision—one where history and contemporary refinement come together to create a renewed sense of place.

Long known as The Bengal Lounge, the space has been woven into the social fabric of the City of Victoria for generations. Originally opened in 1912 as the ‘Reading & Writing Room’ following the hotel’s grand extension, it evolved in 1954 into the Coronet Lounge—the city’s first cocktail lounge of its kind—creating a new era of social gathering. From milestone celebrations to quiet conversations, it has long served as a place that felt both intimate and special. Now, The Bengal returns with renewed energy, inviting guests to rediscover a room that has grown and transformed alongside the city it serves.

“The Bengal has always been an integral part of The Empress and a place that holds real meaning for our community, and we’re incredibly proud to officially open once again,” said General Manager Dan McGowan. “We’re reintroducing this iconic space in a way that feels both familiar and new, with the intent to create an unforgettable experience for the guest of today. We cannot wait for people to experience it now and for everything that’s still to come as the space continues to evolve.”

Originally celebrated for its rich heritage architecture—defined by beams, pilasters, and intricate carvings—the new Bengal is a loving homage to its past while embracing a brighter, more inclusive setting. The heritage-style beams remain as anchors to history, while plush velvet seating, cane textures, and a lighter, organic palette soften the room and create a seamless connection to the gardens just outside. The result is an atmosphere that feels elegant, welcoming, and unmistakably The Bengal.

Every morning, The Bengal is ready to welcome hotel guests and locals alike for breakfast from 6:30am to 11:00am. Serving dishes inspired by the breakfast menu at Q at the Empress, along with feature items that give a subtle nod to the former lounge, including dishes inspired by the Mango Lassi Chia Pudding and the Bengal Tartine. Click here to review the .

The Bengal is also available for dinner while Q at the Empress undergoes renovations are available and walk-ins welcomed based on availability.

Looking ahead, the reopening of The Bengal is only the beginning of its transformation. Once renovations at Q at the Empress are complete, the space will become Victoria’s largest private dining room, offering an exceptional and opulent setting for memorable gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions. Having served as a venue for private events since 2016, The Bengal is uniquely positioned for this next evolution.