Toronto, February 6, 2025 – Foodservice sales are forecast to grow by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to a significant boost from the GST and HST holiday, but restaurants are still facing economic headwinds after a weak third quarter, according to Restaurants Canada’s latest Quarterly Report.

Quarterly Report at a glance:

• Restaurant, caterer and bar sales are forecast to surpass $100B in 2025, representing a 3.9% nominal increase over 2024. Adjusted for menu inflation, real sales are forecast to grow by 0.8% compared to relatively flat real sales in 2024.
• Caterers are expected to see the strongest growth in 2025 at 4.3%, followed by quick-service restaurants (4.0%), full-service restaurants (3.8%) and drinking places (1.5%).
• More than a third of Canadians (36%) are going out to eat less frequently. Gen X report the largest reduction in visits to full-service restaurants (41%), while Gen Z are most likely to cut back on quick-service restaurants (42%).
• Menu inflation continued to moderate in the last half of 2024, with November menu prices being 3.4% higher compared to November 2023.
• Restaurants Canada estimates foodservice sales could be $1.5B higher over the GST/HST holiday period than they would have been if there was no tax holiday.
• This issue of the Quarterly also starts to examine how significant changes to immigration and tariff threats will affect the restaurant industry and the economy, how foodservice businesses are responding to a rise in crime, and strategies consumers are employing to make dining out more affordable.

Quotes from Kelly Higginson, President and CEO at Restaurants Canada:

“2024 was a very difficult year for the restaurant industry, and our forecasting tells us that we are not out of the woods yet. Restaurants face significant threats, including drastic cuts to immigration amid a very tight labour market in much of the country outside of urban centres, a tariff dispute with the U.S. and continued low consumer confidence.”

“We are calling on governments to permanently remove sales taxes from restaurant meals. Early data about the GST and HST holiday give us some hope for a stronger start in 2025. Restaurants are the fourth largest employer in the country with nearly 1.2 million workers, they support local economies and initiatives in every community across Canada, and they improve the day-to-day quality of life of Canadians. Restoring food tax fairness is a win for all.”

SPRUCE GROVE, Alberta, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For over 70 years, Denny’s Canada has offered their communities a place for people to come in, sit down and connect over quality food. Situated at Unit 200 - 100 Jennifer Heil Way, the newest Denny’s establishment is the first of the popular dining brand in the city, with the hope of many more to come for the region.

As Senior Regional Manager for Franchise Operations & Special Projects, John Yoingco and his team are excited to welcome its new guests to a warm, inclusive nostalgic space that has something for everyone. “Fuelled by a passion for excellence, we can’t wait to bring our service to the local area, offering comforting, diverse meal options. Denny’s Spruce Grove is the perfect place to enjoy wonderful food or to bring your friends and family for a memorable meal, no matter the occasion. Located just under 30km West of Edmonton, you can join us for all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night treat.”

Visitors and residents alike will have the chance to experience the best in family dining while enjoying the beautiful, dynamic city of Spruce Grove. Served in a bright, modern space, legendary Denny’s menu items such as the classic ‘Moons Over My Hammy^®’ sandwich, premium Choconana Pancakes, and a wide range of Signature Slams will all be available to order.

"Denny’s could not be happier to establish a footprint in the fantastic city of Spruce Grove. Alberta has always been an amazing market for us and bringing a local Denny’s location to the people of Spruce Grove has been a long-term goal for our team that we are proud to have accomplished,” explains Ron Cecillon, Managing Director, Denny’s Canada. “Our team has been working hard to get this new location ready for service and we are delighted to say that we are now open 7 days a week! Come see us today at Denny’s Spruce Grove.”

Denny’s Spruce Grove location is now open with seating available for 116 guests and will be operating 7 days a week. The team is delighted to become a part of the close-knit local community and offer outstanding diner delights at any time of day. It's always Diner Time at Denny’s.

Toronto, ON - [February 6, 2025] – Beloved Italian restaurant PIANO PIANO is bringing high-quality  Canadian-Italian food and their signature charm to Toronto’s Bloor St. West. Co-founded by Chef Victor Barry,  Nikki Leigh McKean and Brendan Piunno,  PIANO PIANO has become a staple in the city’s dining scene, known for its innovative approach to contemporary Italian classics and inviting atmosphere. 

The new location is designed by award-winning Design Studio Future Studio, led by Ali McQuaid Mitchell, who were also the masterminds behind PIANO PIANO’s striking Mount Pleasant, Oakville, Colborne, and Piccolo Piano Pizzeria locations. Once again, this all-star team has brought PIANO PIANO’s creative vision to life. 

The three-level restaurant combines indulgence and nostalgia, with eclectic & exotic mismatched fabrics, rich gemstone colours, and luxurious textures that transport guests into a vintage world of glitz & glamour. Signature PIANO PIANO touches including statement chandeliers, lush wall coverings, and custom animal print banquettes further elevate the space, all combine to create a unique and memorable dining experience.

This time around, PIANO PIANO’s fifth location draws inspiration from old-school glamour and vintage aesthetics—from the neighboring restored Deco beauty of the Paradise Theatre to the luxurious ‘rolling palace’ feel of the Orient Express, to the opulence of Classic Hollywood.

“After walking through a new space, we always leave inspired by a new concept, and let it evolve into something bigger than we imagined. “ explains McKean, reflecting on shaping the new location's signature look & feel. “The long, narrow, light-filled layout here at Bloor is perfect for embracing bold contrasts and showing off beautiful décor, hand-designed carpets, intriguing fabrics and textures, and evoking feelings of ‘wonders from the past’.  We always desire to create a dining experience that is comfortable, intimate,  yet also vibrant, that feels like you have stepped into a fantasy - a special escape.”

PIANO PIANO Bloor is the perfect destination for a memorable night out, right next door to the iconic Paradise Theatre. Guests can enjoy the same beloved menu of classic PIANO PIANO dishes and seasonal specials alike, alongside a newly created Pre-Theatre Set Menu tailored for those dining on a tight timeline before catching a show next door at Paradise Theatre. 

“Our menu has evolved from our signature pizza and pasta, to Ribeye, Rack of Lamb, Octopus, Lobster, Caviar, Truffles and more! This new restaurant feels like the ultimate setting for guests to feast on all of these tasty & f*#kin' delicious dishes!"says Co-Founder & Chef Victor Barry.

With its striking design, immersive atmosphere, and signature Italian dishes, PIANO PIANO Bloor is set to become a go-to destination for everything from casual dinners to celebratory nights out.

PIANO PIANO Bloor, the 5th location for the restaurant group,  is located at 1006 Bloor Street West, Toronto, and will be open every day of the week from 12pm until later, serving lunch.

OTTAWA, ON, February 3, 2025 — Alex Kim, the Culinary Director of Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Five Sails, struck gold and claimed the crown as the nation’s foremost chef at the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa on Saturday night.

Kim was one of 10 chefs who won Canada’s Great Kitchen Party regional competitions held across the country to earn the right to compete in the national championship that began with a Mystery Wine pairing event Friday night and continued Saturday with a Black Box competition that allowed chefs one hour to create a dish using mystery ingredients.

The two events culminated in Saturday night’s grand finale, where Kim prepared the same dish that earned him top spot at the Vancouver regional championship last October — Haida Gwaii Sablefish Loin & Cortes Island Scallop Terrine, Sidestripe Shrimp ‘Mandu’ with Okanagan Apple & Dungeness Crab, and Seared Kusshi Oyster, Salsify and Doenjang on Crispy Sea Lettuce Tartlet, paired with a Blanc De Blanc Sparkling 2019 from OIiver, BC’s Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

“I am extremely humbled by this honour and could not have achieved it without the support of my incredible team at Glowbal Restaurant Group and Five Sails, and especially my Sous Chef Jitin Kapoor, who was by my side throughout these competitions,” said Kim. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and we’re extremely excited to bring this home not just for Glowbal and Five Sails but all of BC’s amazing culinary community.”

Kim is the fourth BC-based chef to win the Canadian Culinary Championship following Melissa Craig of Whistler’s Bearfoot Bistro in 2008, Alex Chen and Roger Ma of Vancouver’s Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar in 2018 and 2020, respectively, and Jasper Cruickshank of Whistler’s Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar in 2024. 

Kim, who credited his Korean roots and formative experiences first learning to cook alongside his grandmother as inspiration, was joined on the 2025 podium by Jordan Holden of Moncton, NB’s Atelier Tony and François-Emmanuel Nicol of Quebec City’s Tanière3, who won silver and bronze, respectively.

After emigrating to Canada as a teenager, Kim worked the line at several of Alberta’s top luxury hotel properties including Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Hotel MacDonald before coming to Vancouver to continue his culinary career in 2017. He first joined the Glowbal family in 2021 as Executive Chef at its flagship Glowbal Restaurant following a three-year turn as Chef de Cuisine at the former MARKET by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver and most recently took the reins of Glowbal’s award-winning Five Sails as Culinary Director.

“We’re incredibly proud of Alex not just for this prestigious honour but for the culinary excellence he’s provided to Glowbal in general and Five Sails in particular,” said Glowbal Restaurant Group CEO Emad Yacoub. “This is a true testament to the expertise, dedication and mentorship that he brings to our entire team, and we’re thrilled to see him earn this well-deserved accolade and continue BC’s recent run at the national championship.”

The roster of judges at the championship comprised a cross-section of the Canadian culinary scene and brought together renowned food and beverage writers, executive chefs, journalists and entrepreneurs that included Chris Johns and James Chatto as National Culinary Advisor and Judge Invigilator, respectively, and Renée Suen, all of Toronto, Ottawa’s Cory Haskins, Montréal’s Gildas Meneu, Calgary’s Michael Allemeier, Vancouver’s Joie Alvaro Kent, Edmonton’s Mary Bailey, Winnipeg’s Mike Green, Saskatoon’s Noelle Chorney and Newfoundland’s Roary MacPherson.

The Canadian Culinary Championship is a social enterprise dedicated to "Building a Better Canada" and celebrating Canadian excellence in food, sport, and music by bringing together chefs, athletes, musicians and business leaders to raise funds for Spirit North, MusiCounts and regional food equity charities.