VANCOUVER, BC, March 17, 2025 — The big-game experience at  is heating up and giving sports fans a chance to get a piece of the action like never before with the grand opening of its PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge at the downtown Vancouver play-and-stay destination (39 Smithe Street) on Saturday, March 22.

Located on Level 3, the  allows fans to place pre-game and live bets on nine dedicated PROLINE terminals while enjoying gameday eats and watching all the excitement unfold on a 50-foot screen showing up to 10 games at once.

The PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge terminals offer single-event betting, improved odds and same-day payouts with an array of leagues, games and markets — including TOTO, Oddset-2 and -3, Money Line, Point Spread, Total (Over/Under) and Props — to bet on, and is one of only two in-person sportsbook lounges in BC.

The PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge is just the latest addition to an already unbeatable gaming lineup at Parq Casino that includes a Level 2 Stadium Gaming setup that combines electronic table games, live dealer play and interconnected stations, new slot machine options on Levels 2 and 3 featuring hundreds of the most popular machines from around the globe, and a newly revamped table games area on Level 3 that includes a dozen new baccarat terminals as well as the Luna High Limits Slots Salon.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, guests can also enjoy live music with Pianos at Parq, featuring performances in the Sportsbook Lounge every Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. This entertainment experience adds to the fan-fueled atmosphere, making it the perfect place to keep the excitement going long after the game ends.

“Our new PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge further cements Parq’s status as Vancouver’s ultimate hotspot for game-day entertainment, giving guests the feeling of being part of every play,” says Parq Casino VP of Marketing, Karen Gray. “Whether you’re hanging out with friends or cheering on your favourite team, there’s no better place to be than in the heart of the excitement.”

Parq continues to set the standard for best practices in terms of responsible gambling, consistently earning top-five rankings in Canada and internationally, and currently holding the #1 and #2 rank for Canada and international casinos, respectively.

In addition to offering world-class casino gaming, Parq Casino is home to two luxury hotel properties — The JW Marriott and The DOUGLAS Autograph Collection — as well as The Spa by JW and numerous restaurants and amenities.

For more information about Parq Casino or to stay on top of all the developments and receive exclusive offers available only to members of Parq’s e-newsletter, please visit .

Toronto, Ontario, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest barbecue franchise, is excited to announce the opening of its latest location in Toronto, Ontario. Located at 2150 Bloor Street W In High Park West Bloor Village, the restaurant is now open, offering the city’s residents and visitors a chance to experience the slow-smoked, bold flavors of Texas-style barbecue.

This location marks another milestone in Dickey’s international expansion, continuing the brand’s commitment to bringing its mouthwatering barbecue to new markets. Toronto residents can now enjoy the authentic smoked meats, savory sides, and welcoming atmosphere that have made Dickey’s a staple in American dining.

"It’s an exciting day for us as we open our doors here in Toronto," said Muhammad Sameer, franchisee of the location. "We’re bringing Texas-style barbecue to the heart of the city, and we’re ready to share our signature dishes like our juicy brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and classic sandwiches. Our goal is to make every meal memorable, and we’re thrilled to serve the people of Toronto."

Dickey’s Barbecue continues to grow its presence across Canada and beyond, with this location adding to the brand’s increasing international footprint. The Toronto restaurant is poised to be a go-to spot for those craving authentic barbecue.

"Opening another location in Canada is a significant milestone in our expansion, and we’re excited to share Dickey’s delicious barbecue with even more customers," said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "Muhammad has done an incredible job bringing our brand to life here and we’re confident Toronto will embrace the flavors and atmosphere that have made us a favorite in the U.S."

As the third-generation leader of the Dickey’s brand, Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group, expressed his excitement about the new opening. "Our goal has always been to bring the best barbecue to as many people as possible, and this new location is a key step in that direction. We’re proud to continue the Dickey’s legacy and share our Texas barbecue traditions with the Toronto community."

Dickey’s is now open and ready to serve guests at 2150 Bloor Street W. To celebrate the opening, the restaurant will be offering special promotions and giveaways throughout the week. Whether you're enjoying a family meal, grabbing a quick lunch, or sharing a feast with friends, Dickey’s has something for everyone.

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.