Toronto, October 8, 2024—Food allergies drive consumer choice and loyalty in the Canadian dining scene. According to new research from Food Allergy Canada, 80% of people with food allergies and 44% of those without say that allergen management policies influence their decisions when choosing a restaurant.

"Over 3 million Canadians are affected by food allergies, with an estimated $6.5 billion spent annually by these households on dining out," says Jennifer Gerdts, Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada. “Allergy-aware establishments have a huge opportunity to grow their share of this underserved market.”

Recipe for Successreveals untapped opportunities for Canadian restaurants to grow a loyal client base and gain market share. Strategic Navigator surveyed 1,500 Canadians to understand what drives their restaurant decisions and spending. 

The research reveals that providing accurate ingredient information and accommodating people with food allergies drives consumer loyalty and is good for the bottom line:

Food-allergic consumers are less price-sensitive. Cost is the top barrier to eating out more often for 65% of not-allergic consumers, compared to only 39% of consumers with food allergies. 

Food-allergic consumers are loyal, with 86% saying their food allergy drives their restaurant loyalty.

Food-allergic consumers drive restaurant choice, even when dining with non-allergic friends and family.

Food Allergy Canada has developed Think Food Allergy, a short video and resources to help Canadian food service establishments become more allergy-aware. Many operators, including Oliver & Bonacini restaurants, Pizzeria Libretto, Compass Group, and Kawartha Dairy, already use the free training. “We encourage all industry operators to join the conversation by downloading our free training resources atThinkFoodAllergy.ca,” says Gerdts.

Vancouver, BC, September 17, 2024 – Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie has officially launched its highly-anticipated lunch service. Available from Tuesday to Friday, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of Chef Rob Feenie’s contemporary French menu favourites and bistro-style additions in its elegant dining room. Reservations can be made online.

“I want to thank our guests for the wonderful and warm reception they’ve given us in the past couple months,” says Feenie. “Our menu is ever evolving, and it’s been great to see familiar and new faces visit and experience our restaurant. For both our lunch and dinner menus, each dish embodies my vision and the rich culinary traditions of Alsace and beyond. We are committed to using the finest local ingredients, skillfully blending techniques from France, Asia, and Canada—a true reflection of our beautiful country’s diversity.”

Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie’s lunch menu features select highlights from its dinner menu, including: the classic Foie Gras Terrine, with brioche and nectarine confiture; Feenie’s popular Kobujime Hamachi with white soy, yuzu, stone fruit, chili, celery ice; Free Range Roasted Chicken Supreme with morel mushroom sauce and spaetzle; and Ribeye Bearnaise with a side salad and fries.

Lunch-only items include a hearty Caramelized French Onion Soup with toasted baguette and gruyere; 7oz Burger De Maison with house ground wagyu, comte, special sauce, and fries; Steak Frites, featuring bavette with a choice of bearnaise or peppercorn sauce, fries and salad; and Club Sandwich Le Crocodile, featuring barbecue duck, prosciutto crisp, fruit and nut bread, fries, and salad.

“Whether you’re looking to visit for a leisure lunch or business meeting, our lunch menu has a variety of items for different appetites,” adds Feenie. “We’ll also be adding a lunch prix fixe option very soon.”

VANCOUVER, Sept. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Name a more iconic duo! For a limited time, A&W and Ruffles are teaming up to bring you the Ruffles Crunch Teen Burger. The A&W Classic Teen Burger and new Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream potato chips are stacked into a craveable creation that delivers on crunch with every bite. This deliciously crunchy collaboration is also available in its equally tasty sidekick, the Ruffles Crunch Buddy Burger®, available for $4.99.

The Chip & Dip Inspiration
"My aim was to add a unique layer of texture to our Teen Burger," says Karan Suri, Director of Menu Development at A&W Canada. "Ruffles was the perfect choice for a crunchy and delicious addition. The famous ridges of Ruffles chips provide a real crunch and structure to the iconic Teen® recipe. Out of all the flavours, the cheesy notes of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream paired perfectly with our Teen Burger. To complete the experience, I had to create the perfect dip for the chip, and drew inspiration from Ruffles ridged dippable chips to create the delectable creamy garlic and jalapeño aioli for our Ruffles Crunch Teen Burger."

The Ruffles Crunch Teen Burger: A perfectly seasoned grass-fed beef patty topped with a generous stack of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream chips, lettuce, yellow onions, tomato, bacon, real cheddar cheese, creamy garlic and jalapeño aioli, served on a freshly toasted sesame seed bun.

The Ruffles Crunch Buddy Burger: A perfectly seasoned 1.6 oz grass-fed beef patty topped with a generous stack of Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream chips, lettuce, tomato, real cheddar cheese, creamy garlic and jalapeño aioli, served on a freshly toasted bun.

A Delectable Collab : A&W x Ruffles
"Having been on the A&W menu since 1961, the Teen Burger is a true Canadian classic that generations of Canadians grew up enjoying," says Susan Senecal, CEO and President of A&W Canada. "We thought collaborating with Ruffles, a brand that is equally loved by Canadians, was the perfect way to bring a modern twist to our classic Teen Burger."

"Ruffles and A&W are two of Canada's most beloved brands, so we're thrilled to join forces and bring our fans something truly special," says Jess Spaulding, Chief Marketing Officer, Frito Lay Canada. "At Ruffles, our famous ridges are all about delivering bold flavour and an unmistakable crunch, and there's no better pairing for our new Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream chips than the iconic A&W Teen Burger. This is a taste experience that only Ruffles and A&W could create—one we hope our fans will savour with every bite."

Visit your neighbourhood A&W today to try this cheesy and crunchy creation as it's available only for a limited time.

VAUGHAN, ON, Oct. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - Pizza Hut Canada isn't just serving up piping hot delicious pies—they're also committed to creating meaningful impact in communities across Canada. Since its inaugural debut in 2021, the Equal Slice Program has successfully empowered over 190 entrepreneurs, through education, mentorship, and a combined total of $300,000 in grants.

Aimed at leveling the playing field, the Equal Slice Program is committed to equity, opportunity, and unity across entrepreneurs in Canada. Building on Pizza Hut founders Dan and Frank Carney's entrepreneurial spirit and the strength of our franchisee network, Pizza Hut Canada is dedicated to paying it forward and creating a lasting impact for communities across the country. With a thorough selection process, the program ensures that every participant receives comprehensive business education and invaluable mentorship. Additionally, five standout grant recipients are selected to receive a $20,000 grant. This support provides entrepreneurs with essential coaching, business education, and financial capital at no cost, driving economic empowerment and community upliftment.

To date, the Equal Slice Program has welcomed over 193 visionary owners into the fold and awarded $300,000 in grants. The program has ignited the dreams of past grant recipients such as Danielle Murrell Cox, Zuri & Dre, who benefited from the program's support, gaining valuable insights into strengthening their entrepreneurial skills, refining business strategies, and advancing their knowledge on growing and structuring their successful businesses.

"The success of the Equal Slice Program demonstrates our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs," says Chris Taylor, Chief People Officer, Pizza Hut. "Our Equal Slice Program provides entrepreneurs with the support they need to refine their skills, enhance their business strategies, and achieve their goals, empowering them to make a meaningful impact in their communities."

Interested in joining the journey of empowerment, one slice at a time? Canadians can nominate themselves and/or entrepreneurs from their networks to be considered in the Equal Slice Program, which kicks-off this fall. Additionally, Canadians can take part in the Equal Slice Program by making a contribution in-person or online at Pizza Hut locations across Canada. This initiative allows customers to contribute directly while enjoying their favorite pizzas, ensuring that every slice counts towards making a positive impact in our communities

To learn more about Pizza Hut and the Equal Slice Program, and nominate someone, please visit  www.PizzaHut.ca/EqualSlice