It’s been a tough year for the service industry in Ontario. There’s no getting around it. With frequent lockdowns and restrictions, the restaurant industry specifically has seen some challenging times since the start of the pandemic.
Restaurants have needed to become agile in order to survive. Curbside pickup, bottleshops, delivery, meal kits, are just a few of the ways they’ve learned to adapt to the ever-changing climate.
So what does 2022 have in store for restaurants? The industry is changing. Let’s take a closer look:
Labour-Saving Technology Will Become a Bigger Part of the Picture
If you’ve ever visited a fast-food chain with kiosks to place your own order, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Canada is currently experiencing a labour shortage, and although new immigration targets for 2022 are hoping to fill some of the voids, more businesses will invest in technology that can help them do more with fewer staff.
Just look at this recent news story about a robot cat serving tables at a restaurant in Gatineau, Quebec. This might be an extreme example, but it could very possibly be the future.
Thinking about opening a restaurant in 2022? Download our Ultimate Guide to Buying a Restaurant right here.
Supply Chain Issues Will Cause Restaurants to Run Lean
Many trendy restaurants these days boast about having a simple menu with simple ingredients. Currently, this speaks to the consumer’s desire to eat deliciously and lovingly prepared food. However, in 2022, simple menu items might appear more out of necessity than anything else.
While the long-term ramifications of the pandemic are still not certain, experts are saying that there will be continued supply chain and labour disruptions going forward into 2022.
Restaurant Wages Will Continue to Be a Hot Topic
For years, the restaurant industry was known for paying a reduced minimum wage to workers since much of their income was based on tips. As of January 1, 2022, the lower wage that applied to certain “liquor servers” was eliminated.
There’s been much in the news the past few years about restaurant wages, with some restaurants even adopting a no-tipping policy in favour of higher menu prices in order to provide staff with better wages.
Learn more about what it takes to buy and run a successful restaurant in 2022 here:
- How Government Policy Will Impact Business Owners in 2022
- Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Restaurant?
- Restaurant Design: 5 Tips for a Stunning and Efficient Space
Third-Party Delivery Companies Are on the Way Out
With their added fees and the recent news coming out about the poor working conditions for delivery drivers, it’s no surprise that third-party delivery apps are losing favour among restaurants. Already, it’s common to see restaurants providing incentives for clients ordering takeout and delivery directly from the restaurant, but in 2022, we expect to see restaurants invest more time and energy into their own delivery options to avoid the third-party providers.
Bottle Shops and Meal Kits Will Continue to Be Popular
Many restaurants pivoted their services in 2020 and 2021 to include meal kits and bottle shops as part of their service offerings. For many restaurants, this has been a big hit, with many consumers wanting to support their local restaurants rather than large, provincial establishments.
Saving money is almost as important as making money for a small business owner. Here are some of our top resources for restaurant pricing and budgeting:
- 5 Ways for a Small Business in Toronto to Save Money
- Restaurant Menu Pricing 101
- 4 Ways to Prepare for a Restaurant Purchase
Plant-Based is In
It was only a few years ago that vegetarian or vegan options on menus were few and far between, but recent years have seen a huge gain in popularity with plant-based menu options. Not only is plant-based food becoming more cost-effective for restaurant owners, but it’s a trend that many clients love to see.
Even fast-food establishments are adopting more plant-based items into their menus. We only expect to see that number grow in 2022.
Small Towns Are Where It’s At
You used to have to go downtown to get a bite to eat at a fantastic, trendy eatery. However, as more young professionals move out into outlying areas, the restaurants and cafes will follow. Expect to see interesting, locally-owned restaurants popping up in smaller towns outside of Toronto.
Thinking about opening a restaurant outside of Toronto? Great idea! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- 7 Reasons to Open a Restaurant in Ottawa
- 10 Places (Besides Toronto) to Open Your Next Eatery
- 5 Reasons to Open a Restaurant in Kingston
- 4 Reasons to Open a Restaurant in the Tri-City Area
