Anyone else's mind boggled with the news that McDonald's is opening up vegetarian restaurants? I just can't get my head around the concept; the change in brand profile,my long-established image of McDonald's burgers and fries and the also mind-boggling weight gain for that guy featured in the documentary, "Super Size Me". He ate at McD's 3 times a day for 30 days and gained a Whopping (lol) 24.5lbs.
In case you're interested in visiting and checking out the menu, you'll have to go to India. And it does sound enticing since they've incorporated an Indian flair with "chicken burgers; the McVeggie, a vegetarian patty with carrots, peas and potatoes; a McAloo Tikki or deep-fried patty of spicy mashed potatoes; and a McSpicy Paneer, a patty of traditional Indian cheese."
Ironically, the Super Size Me guy at a vegan diet afterwards to loose the weight and here we are a few years later with McDonald's shocking us with vegetarian restaurants.
Truly mind-boggling stuff.
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Baskin Robbins and Mitt Romney Connection??
It's been a while since I posted, just lazy I suppose. I wanted to share an article about Baskin Robbins plant closure. Is it true Baskin Robbins and Mitt Romney want us all fat? LOL..... read on
Baskin-Robbins and the Walmartization of Ice Cream
July 20th, 2012 Armine Yalnizyan
It’s been an unusually hot summer, and soaring temperatures have boosted sales of that quintessential summer food, ice cream. But Baskin-Robbins has decided to shut its production facility in Peterborough, Ont., and lay off 80 workers because of…wait for it… increased demand!
From the department of “wait, what?”, here’s the scoop behind this brain-freeze-inducing decision.
Baskin-Robbins, home of 31 flavours (one for each day of the month), brought in $1.8-billion in sales from its 6,777 outlets around the world last year. Same-store sales rose by an impressive 9.4 per cent in the first quarter 2012, and that’s before the heat wave.
Though business is up, the company says expanding production is not part of the game plan. Peterborough is the last place in North America where Baskin-Robbins makes what it sells, and those 80 CAW-organized workers supply a third of the 4,200 outlets outside of the U.S., including 113 Canadian stores.
That production is now moving to third-party suppliers. Canadians’ demand will be supplied by Scotsburn Dairy in Truro, N.S. — for now. Like Peterborough, it’s also a union shop (CAW). But most of what Peterborough produced will now be made in El-Paso, Texas, a right-to-work state with no minimum wage. Only 5.3 per cent of workers are union members in that state.
Does that make Baskin-Robbins the Caterpillar of Peterborough? Not so fast.
The world’s biggest chain of ice-cream stores already operates in 110 nations, and believes future expansion of global domination can best be achieves by focusing on retailing and franchising. They are getting out of manufacturing.
Getting out of manufacturing is one way to drive down costs, by shifting labour-cost decisions to third-party suppliers.
Baskin-Robbins’ plan goes further: drive down costs by extending its presence in emerging markets, where disposable income is increasing; but, importantly, that’s where new suppliers are emerging too.
Call it the Walmartization of ice cream. When you’re big enough globally, you don’t have to make things to change the way things are made. The size of the contracts you’re waving around changes the game. The retailer, not the producer, becomes king of the deal. And the lowest price becomes the law.
Suppliers swallow ridiculously low per unit prices because the bottom line of that contract is huge. Then they find a way to shave their own costs. So Baskin-Robbins lowers its costs by shifting the incentive to find savings onto parties outside the company. Shift costs, increase profits. That’s the formula these days.
And here’s another part of the formula: Baskin-Robbin’s parent company is Dunkin’ Brands, which is owned by Bain Capital – Mitt Romney’s company before he became Presidential hopeful for the Republicans. These firms, and Romney, have been lobbying against supply management, angling for lower dairy prices to help us all get fatter on pizza and ice cream, one crazy-cheap mouthful at a time.
Lower dairy prices are indeed on the menu of free trade deals like the one now being negotiated with Europe and upcoming talks with the Pacific nations, which will most likely see an end to supply management of the dairy industry in Canada. But there’s still cheaper milk products to be found in other nations. And that’s the point of this drive for global dominance in ice cream. Market-spanning giants like Baskin-Robbins, relentlessly driving down input costs, give a whole new meaning to free trade. But remember the other trade: the flip side of low prices is low wages. Someone’s paying the price somewhere.
This blog originally appeared on the Globe and Mail’s online business feature, Economy Lab.
Baskin-Robbins and the Walmartization of Ice Cream
July 20th, 2012 Armine Yalnizyan
It’s been an unusually hot summer, and soaring temperatures have boosted sales of that quintessential summer food, ice cream. But Baskin-Robbins has decided to shut its production facility in Peterborough, Ont., and lay off 80 workers because of…wait for it… increased demand!
From the department of “wait, what?”, here’s the scoop behind this brain-freeze-inducing decision.
Baskin-Robbins, home of 31 flavours (one for each day of the month), brought in $1.8-billion in sales from its 6,777 outlets around the world last year. Same-store sales rose by an impressive 9.4 per cent in the first quarter 2012, and that’s before the heat wave.
Though business is up, the company says expanding production is not part of the game plan. Peterborough is the last place in North America where Baskin-Robbins makes what it sells, and those 80 CAW-organized workers supply a third of the 4,200 outlets outside of the U.S., including 113 Canadian stores.
That production is now moving to third-party suppliers. Canadians’ demand will be supplied by Scotsburn Dairy in Truro, N.S. — for now. Like Peterborough, it’s also a union shop (CAW). But most of what Peterborough produced will now be made in El-Paso, Texas, a right-to-work state with no minimum wage. Only 5.3 per cent of workers are union members in that state.
Does that make Baskin-Robbins the Caterpillar of Peterborough? Not so fast.
The world’s biggest chain of ice-cream stores already operates in 110 nations, and believes future expansion of global domination can best be achieves by focusing on retailing and franchising. They are getting out of manufacturing.
Getting out of manufacturing is one way to drive down costs, by shifting labour-cost decisions to third-party suppliers.
Baskin-Robbins’ plan goes further: drive down costs by extending its presence in emerging markets, where disposable income is increasing; but, importantly, that’s where new suppliers are emerging too.
Call it the Walmartization of ice cream. When you’re big enough globally, you don’t have to make things to change the way things are made. The size of the contracts you’re waving around changes the game. The retailer, not the producer, becomes king of the deal. And the lowest price becomes the law.
Suppliers swallow ridiculously low per unit prices because the bottom line of that contract is huge. Then they find a way to shave their own costs. So Baskin-Robbins lowers its costs by shifting the incentive to find savings onto parties outside the company. Shift costs, increase profits. That’s the formula these days.
And here’s another part of the formula: Baskin-Robbin’s parent company is Dunkin’ Brands, which is owned by Bain Capital – Mitt Romney’s company before he became Presidential hopeful for the Republicans. These firms, and Romney, have been lobbying against supply management, angling for lower dairy prices to help us all get fatter on pizza and ice cream, one crazy-cheap mouthful at a time.
Lower dairy prices are indeed on the menu of free trade deals like the one now being negotiated with Europe and upcoming talks with the Pacific nations, which will most likely see an end to supply management of the dairy industry in Canada. But there’s still cheaper milk products to be found in other nations. And that’s the point of this drive for global dominance in ice cream. Market-spanning giants like Baskin-Robbins, relentlessly driving down input costs, give a whole new meaning to free trade. But remember the other trade: the flip side of low prices is low wages. Someone’s paying the price somewhere.
This blog originally appeared on the Globe and Mail’s online business feature, Economy Lab.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Drinking Limit Spreads East
The blood alcohol drinking(BAC) limit, set in BC in September 2010, seems to be making it's way east as Saskatchewan announces it plans to impose fines for drivers with a BAC between .04 and .08 in the Spring or Summer of 2013.
This is especially significant to the hospitality industry; hotels, restaurants, casinos, bars and pubs, who can really be impacted with tight revenue margins.
Many owners/operators in BC and Alberta noted a marked decline in sales and concerns from customers who were consuming less alcohol with their meals or none at all, some even deciding to stay home and avoid the hassle. The new regulations make it difficult for customers to guage their safe drinking levels.
While nobody wants to see drunk drivers on the road, the new limits will likely target imbibers that monitor their alcohol consumption, not the obvious and dedicated alcoholics that drink and drive. The latter are the only ones that we need to have more stringent regulations for but ironically are also the only ones unaffected or concerned by the new rules.
If you work in the industry, please watch for the CRFA's upcoming petitions and voice your opinion at crfa.ca.
This is especially significant to the hospitality industry; hotels, restaurants, casinos, bars and pubs, who can really be impacted with tight revenue margins.
Many owners/operators in BC and Alberta noted a marked decline in sales and concerns from customers who were consuming less alcohol with their meals or none at all, some even deciding to stay home and avoid the hassle. The new regulations make it difficult for customers to guage their safe drinking levels.
While nobody wants to see drunk drivers on the road, the new limits will likely target imbibers that monitor their alcohol consumption, not the obvious and dedicated alcoholics that drink and drive. The latter are the only ones that we need to have more stringent regulations for but ironically are also the only ones unaffected or concerned by the new rules.
If you work in the industry, please watch for the CRFA's upcoming petitions and voice your opinion at crfa.ca.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Prairie Financial Sun Rising
It's good to be in the Prairie's right now as Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina are poised to lead in growth and prosperity over the next couple of years, according to The Conference Board of Canada posted in The Canadian Press yesterday.
As a recruiter in the hospitality industry, I have seen an influx of applications from the mid and eastcoast for positions in the West in the last couple of years. This is really a significant change considering that heading to Ontario has long been the rallying call to highschool grads in many provinces, including Nova Scotia where my roots lead back. It's been a bit of an identity shock to Ontarians adjusting to a tough labour market and looking West. The Outlook suggest Toronto's growth and prosperity will be tied in 5th place with Regina! But, are job seekers ready to look to Saskatchewan as the booming province? It's another adjustment.
In this volatile economy, adjusting to change is a must. So, many will be getting out their dusty globes to discover where Saskatoon and Regina are located and struggling over the spelling of Sa-skatch-e-wan.
The Conference Board says western cities are benefitting from resource riches and attracting migrants, boding well for housing and consumer spending.
Edmonton created almost 40,000 new jobs last year alone, the think-tank says.
"In spite of global economic turmoil, high prices for agricultural products, minerals and oil are likely to continue," said Mario Lefebvre, director of municipal studies for the Conference Board.
"Canada's Prairie cities will reap the benefits of this global demand for commodities."
Central Canadian cities won't do nearly as well with manufacturing continuing to struggle amid the global slowdown, and government cutbacks weighing on growth domestically.
The top 10 cities in terms of expected growth for 2012 are:
Saskatoon, 4.0 per cent
Calgary, 3.6 per cent
Edmonton, 3.4 per cent
Regina, 2.9 per cent
Oshawa, Ont., 2.7 per cent
Toronto, Trois-Rivieres, Vancouver, 2.6 per cent
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Windsor, 2.5 per cent
As a recruiter in the hospitality industry, I have seen an influx of applications from the mid and eastcoast for positions in the West in the last couple of years. This is really a significant change considering that heading to Ontario has long been the rallying call to highschool grads in many provinces, including Nova Scotia where my roots lead back. It's been a bit of an identity shock to Ontarians adjusting to a tough labour market and looking West. The Outlook suggest Toronto's growth and prosperity will be tied in 5th place with Regina! But, are job seekers ready to look to Saskatchewan as the booming province? It's another adjustment.
In this volatile economy, adjusting to change is a must. So, many will be getting out their dusty globes to discover where Saskatoon and Regina are located and struggling over the spelling of Sa-skatch-e-wan.
The Conference Board says western cities are benefitting from resource riches and attracting migrants, boding well for housing and consumer spending.
Edmonton created almost 40,000 new jobs last year alone, the think-tank says.
"In spite of global economic turmoil, high prices for agricultural products, minerals and oil are likely to continue," said Mario Lefebvre, director of municipal studies for the Conference Board.
"Canada's Prairie cities will reap the benefits of this global demand for commodities."
Central Canadian cities won't do nearly as well with manufacturing continuing to struggle amid the global slowdown, and government cutbacks weighing on growth domestically.
The top 10 cities in terms of expected growth for 2012 are:
Saskatoon, 4.0 per cent
Calgary, 3.6 per cent
Edmonton, 3.4 per cent
Regina, 2.9 per cent
Oshawa, Ont., 2.7 per cent
Toronto, Trois-Rivieres, Vancouver, 2.6 per cent
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Windsor, 2.5 per cent
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
BC Minimum Wage for Restaurant Workers
Just a quote update:
As of today, November 2, 2011, it is now legal to pay servers in resturants 75 cents less than the general minimum wage. By May 1st, employers will be able to pay servers $1.25 less than minimum wage.
As of today, November 2, 2011, it is now legal to pay servers in resturants 75 cents less than the general minimum wage. By May 1st, employers will be able to pay servers $1.25 less than minimum wage.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Hard to Watch Hotels Trudge
Our hotel operators in Canada need some love.
According to STR, in year-over-year measurements for the week ending October 8th, 2011, the Canadian hotel industry’s occupancy fell 0.1 percent to 69.6 percent, its average daily rate was down 0.7 percent to CAD$127.92, and its revenue per available room decreased 0.8 percent to CAD$89.07.
Talk about injury to injury. It's hard to watch the painful trudging of hotels trying to get ahead of this thug of an economic downturn the last few years, especially since they're the first hit and last to recover.
It's safe to say PEI's trudging has lead them into cardiac arrest with double-digit RevPAR decreases: 21.7 percent to CAD$46.46 and with the closest neighbour having to drive across the long bridge, I'm not sure they're going to make it. Besides, NS is stilled miffed at having to share a phone prefix with the slouches. BC is having palpatations with a -17.8 to CAD$79.21. Nothing a medical marijuana card won't fix. The best performer continues to be Alberta, with RevPAR rising 9.1% to CAD$89.19. Congrats! Oil really does makes the world go round.
Anyone who can, should show their nearest hotel some love this Christmas season: why not book a staff meeting there this Christmas? Or book it for a family Christmas get-together and save Mom all the work? Or just take a weekend away in your own Province and stay in a hotel new to you and explore?
At the very least, stop and give the GM a hug. Anything to stop the trudging, please!
According to STR, in year-over-year measurements for the week ending October 8th, 2011, the Canadian hotel industry’s occupancy fell 0.1 percent to 69.6 percent, its average daily rate was down 0.7 percent to CAD$127.92, and its revenue per available room decreased 0.8 percent to CAD$89.07.
Talk about injury to injury. It's hard to watch the painful trudging of hotels trying to get ahead of this thug of an economic downturn the last few years, especially since they're the first hit and last to recover.
It's safe to say PEI's trudging has lead them into cardiac arrest with double-digit RevPAR decreases: 21.7 percent to CAD$46.46 and with the closest neighbour having to drive across the long bridge, I'm not sure they're going to make it. Besides, NS is stilled miffed at having to share a phone prefix with the slouches. BC is having palpatations with a -17.8 to CAD$79.21. Nothing a medical marijuana card won't fix. The best performer continues to be Alberta, with RevPAR rising 9.1% to CAD$89.19. Congrats! Oil really does makes the world go round.
Anyone who can, should show their nearest hotel some love this Christmas season: why not book a staff meeting there this Christmas? Or book it for a family Christmas get-together and save Mom all the work? Or just take a weekend away in your own Province and stay in a hotel new to you and explore?
At the very least, stop and give the GM a hug. Anything to stop the trudging, please!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Fast Casual is NOT Fast Food
In proper preparation for the Fast Casual Executive Summit coming up in Chicago this month, fastcasual.com has put together a list of the top 10 fast casual restaurants in the US based on 2010 sales.
But first, let's be clear about how they define fast casual: the price is approximately 15.00 or less per cheque AND the decor is modern and upscale AND the service does not include wait staff AND, finally, the food is fresh and made to order. That narrows down the list but I think to be clearer, it needs to be stated that fast casual promises a higher quality food and atmosphere than fast food. Fast casual is NOT our traditional idea of fast food.
A couple of the Top 10 are already familiar here in Canada: Five Guys and Chipotle Miexcan Grill. What's noteworthy is that of the Top 10, three are Mexican restaurants. Surely demographics have an impact on this stat and therefore it makes me wonder would Mexican fare be so prominant in a Canadian Top 10 Fast Casual? Would Asian food? Chipotle, by the way, was one of the first fast casual restaurants on the scene and McDonald's had a majority share in Chipotle until 2006!
If you're wondering if fast casual is simply a fad that will pass, or a quick spash in the pan (pun intended), think again. Fast casual has had a huge impact on the food industry and growing. It appeals to people's interest for a more healthy option, it's quick for a busier and busier lives, and it offers varied food choices. The numbers speak for themselves as shown in the chart below.
It's little wonder that fast food operations are looking to upscale their decors and offer healthier options or that casual dining operations are looking to move towards "smaller footprint" stores with a smaller menu. It will be interesting to see what our restaurant scene looks like even as little as two years from now with the big impact of fast casual operations.
But first, let's be clear about how they define fast casual: the price is approximately 15.00 or less per cheque AND the decor is modern and upscale AND the service does not include wait staff AND, finally, the food is fresh and made to order. That narrows down the list but I think to be clearer, it needs to be stated that fast casual promises a higher quality food and atmosphere than fast food. Fast casual is NOT our traditional idea of fast food.
A couple of the Top 10 are already familiar here in Canada: Five Guys and Chipotle Miexcan Grill. What's noteworthy is that of the Top 10, three are Mexican restaurants. Surely demographics have an impact on this stat and therefore it makes me wonder would Mexican fare be so prominant in a Canadian Top 10 Fast Casual? Would Asian food? Chipotle, by the way, was one of the first fast casual restaurants on the scene and McDonald's had a majority share in Chipotle until 2006!
If you're wondering if fast casual is simply a fad that will pass, or a quick spash in the pan (pun intended), think again. Fast casual has had a huge impact on the food industry and growing. It appeals to people's interest for a more healthy option, it's quick for a busier and busier lives, and it offers varied food choices. The numbers speak for themselves as shown in the chart below.
It's little wonder that fast food operations are looking to upscale their decors and offer healthier options or that casual dining operations are looking to move towards "smaller footprint" stores with a smaller menu. It will be interesting to see what our restaurant scene looks like even as little as two years from now with the big impact of fast casual operations.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Restaurant Trend Toward Breakfast
Many restaurant organizations in Canada looking for new ways to increase their bottom line have discovered breakfast and hope it will save the day.
While many skip the most important meal of the day, restaurants seek to capitalize on the approximate 1 in 5 people that eat breakfast both at home and at restaurants. According to NPD's most recent report, for the majority of Americans who do eat breakfast, 14% said they typically eat breakfast at restaurants. The report surveyed 27,179 participants.
When approaching the breakfast market, restaurants should be mindful of the study's detailed finding that suggest that of consumers 18 - 34 years old, 28% of men and 18% of women skip breakfast, while 18% of men 35 - 54 years old and 13% of women in that age group go without a morning meal. And apparently, we do get wiser as we age, at least when it comes to eating: older consumers are the least likely to skip breakfast, with 11% of men 55 and older and 10% of women in that age group going without.
While many skip the most important meal of the day, restaurants seek to capitalize on the approximate 1 in 5 people that eat breakfast both at home and at restaurants. According to NPD's most recent report, for the majority of Americans who do eat breakfast, 14% said they typically eat breakfast at restaurants. The report surveyed 27,179 participants.
When approaching the breakfast market, restaurants should be mindful of the study's detailed finding that suggest that of consumers 18 - 34 years old, 28% of men and 18% of women skip breakfast, while 18% of men 35 - 54 years old and 13% of women in that age group go without a morning meal. And apparently, we do get wiser as we age, at least when it comes to eating: older consumers are the least likely to skip breakfast, with 11% of men 55 and older and 10% of women in that age group going without.
Monday, October 10, 2011
What's Your Restaurants' Yelp Rating?
We all by now are aware that social media online plays a major role in restaurant and hotel - any hospitality service - financial gains. Smaller, independent operators in Canada don't always have the resources of corporate restaurants or corporate hotels to create savvy online buzz. Enter Yelp.ca to the rescue.
According to a recent Harvard Business School study by Michael Luca,just and additional one star rating for a restaurant, for instance, garners a revenue bump of 5% to 9%. Luca's research of government data reported revenues of Seattle restaurants between 2003 and 2009, as well as Seattle restaurant reviews on Yelp.
The findings suggest that as Yelp's penetration of the market increased, so too did independent restaurants' share of the market. "The introduction of Yelp then begins to shift revenue away from chains and toward independent restaurants," Luca concluded, adding that this "suggests that online consumer reviews substitute for more traditional forms of reputation." Hooray for the little guys out there running a small QSR or casual dining restaurant in tough markets or boutique hotels looking for greater exposure!
According to a recent Harvard Business School study by Michael Luca,just and additional one star rating for a restaurant, for instance, garners a revenue bump of 5% to 9%. Luca's research of government data reported revenues of Seattle restaurants between 2003 and 2009, as well as Seattle restaurant reviews on Yelp.
The findings suggest that as Yelp's penetration of the market increased, so too did independent restaurants' share of the market. "The introduction of Yelp then begins to shift revenue away from chains and toward independent restaurants," Luca concluded, adding that this "suggests that online consumer reviews substitute for more traditional forms of reputation." Hooray for the little guys out there running a small QSR or casual dining restaurant in tough markets or boutique hotels looking for greater exposure!
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Ikea Strongarming McD's?
In the latest Foodservice Digest a startling revelation regarding QSR leaders in Germany; Ikea beats out McDonald's and Burger King there for service quality. Amazing. Not that the food at Ikea here in Coquitlam, BC isn't fantastic AND cheap, but I wouldn't have expected this trend. Will the craze hit here? Read on for the full article....
How Did Ikea Beat Out McDonalds for Germany's Most Popular Fast Food?
THEATLANTIC.COM 10/05
German newspaper Die Welt reports that in a study by the German Institute for Service Quality, Ikea comes ahead of McDonald's in the fast food realm. In the resulting ranking of points (1 - 100), Mövenpick Marché is at the top, with 78.7 points. In 2nd comes Ikea at 77.6, and then McDonald's at 72.8 and Burger King at 70.0.
Why is a furniture store doing food so well? According to another story by the Deutsche Press-Agentur, breakfast at furniture stores is all the rage. "Whoever wants to breakfast in the furniture store must often hurry if he wants to get a seat at all--[it's] now a nationwide phenomenon," notes the agency.
Ikea has competition, too: "Other furniture companies like Dodenhof, Kraft, and Höffner also attract with breakfast offerings."
How Did Ikea Beat Out McDonalds for Germany's Most Popular Fast Food?
THEATLANTIC.COM 10/05
German newspaper Die Welt reports that in a study by the German Institute for Service Quality, Ikea comes ahead of McDonald's in the fast food realm. In the resulting ranking of points (1 - 100), Mövenpick Marché is at the top, with 78.7 points. In 2nd comes Ikea at 77.6, and then McDonald's at 72.8 and Burger King at 70.0.
Why is a furniture store doing food so well? According to another story by the Deutsche Press-Agentur, breakfast at furniture stores is all the rage. "Whoever wants to breakfast in the furniture store must often hurry if he wants to get a seat at all--[it's] now a nationwide phenomenon," notes the agency.
Ikea has competition, too: "Other furniture companies like Dodenhof, Kraft, and Höffner also attract with breakfast offerings."
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Work Prductivity and Exercise Link
If you exercise, you'll be happy to hear your level of work productivity can go up as a result. Read on, another interesting topic for candidate discussion in that next interview? As we all know, hospitality professionals often have positions that require physical stamina....
Exercise and Productivity Link Confirmed
New Australian research has discovered that employees who walk 10,000 steps a day, and work out in the gym three times a week can give their employer up to $2,500 in added productivity per year compared to non-active colleagues.
A clinical trial run by the Body-Brain Performance Institute, in association with Swinburne University’s Brain Sciences Institute, monitored 40 employees from Melbourne software company SAP earlier this year.
The trial, which ran from April to June, found a direct link between physical fitness and work participation, with productivity increases calculated at $2,500 per year per employee.
Monitored over an 8-week period, the employees were divided into two groups and given pedometers. One group was instructed to walk 10,000 steps a day and head to the gym for three resistance training sessions per week, and the other asked to walk the daily average for an office worker, just 2,000-3,000 steps.
Professor Paul Taylor, who led the research, said “The research showed that there is a very clear link between physical fitness and brain function, and reduced stress levels at work.” He added that there was a marked improvement in the employees’ mood and cognition from the exercise group, with the exercising group showing a 4% increase in overall brain function.
Elements of brain function, including the ability to plan, remember, make decisions, stay alert, as well as stress and anger levels were measured using new neuropsychological tests developed by the Swinburne institute.
Taylor said the findings confirmed previous studies which showed vigorous exercise significantly increases happiness, productivity and cognition, and employers should be harnessing the advantages of exercise more in the workplace.
Professor Taylor has conducted Neuroscience of Leadership workshops with various company leadership teams, which focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, good nutrition, stress optimisation, rest and regular exercise, all leading to an improvement in individual and team performance.
[Source: www.hcamag.com]
Exercise and Productivity Link Confirmed
New Australian research has discovered that employees who walk 10,000 steps a day, and work out in the gym three times a week can give their employer up to $2,500 in added productivity per year compared to non-active colleagues.
A clinical trial run by the Body-Brain Performance Institute, in association with Swinburne University’s Brain Sciences Institute, monitored 40 employees from Melbourne software company SAP earlier this year.
The trial, which ran from April to June, found a direct link between physical fitness and work participation, with productivity increases calculated at $2,500 per year per employee.
Monitored over an 8-week period, the employees were divided into two groups and given pedometers. One group was instructed to walk 10,000 steps a day and head to the gym for three resistance training sessions per week, and the other asked to walk the daily average for an office worker, just 2,000-3,000 steps.
Professor Paul Taylor, who led the research, said “The research showed that there is a very clear link between physical fitness and brain function, and reduced stress levels at work.” He added that there was a marked improvement in the employees’ mood and cognition from the exercise group, with the exercising group showing a 4% increase in overall brain function.
Elements of brain function, including the ability to plan, remember, make decisions, stay alert, as well as stress and anger levels were measured using new neuropsychological tests developed by the Swinburne institute.
Taylor said the findings confirmed previous studies which showed vigorous exercise significantly increases happiness, productivity and cognition, and employers should be harnessing the advantages of exercise more in the workplace.
Professor Taylor has conducted Neuroscience of Leadership workshops with various company leadership teams, which focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, good nutrition, stress optimisation, rest and regular exercise, all leading to an improvement in individual and team performance.
[Source: www.hcamag.com]
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Brazilians Touring Canada
Where are our tourist dollars coming from these days with the economic difficulties felt across the globe? As hospitality providers, we perhaps can look to the global economies to determine future tourism spending in Canada. Of the three growing economies of China, India and Brazil, the latter is worth a closer look right now. These countries are rising to be major world players economically and politically, and Brazil made an impact on our tourism picture in Canada last year.
According to the Canadian Tourism commission report for the last quarter of 2010, "The Brazil market showed the way forward for CTC’s Emerging/Transition markets (Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico and South Korea), posting seriously strong growth in spending (+32%) and overnighters (+26%), leading to an average spend per trip of $1,719." That's a very significant bump, especially when compared to the activity of the UK; our largest overseas travel market, where overnight spending went down 10%.
Who are these people from Brazil traveling to Canada and what type of tourists do they make here?
You might think people in Brazil speak Spanish, but Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world! To give you an idea of climate, it's situated in South America and mostly tropical, being called, "land of the palm trees".
The traditional, everyday meal consists mosty of rice and beans with beef and salad. Its common to mix it with cassava flour. Fried potatoes, fried cassava, fried banana, fried meat and fried cheese are very often eaten in lunch and served in most typical restaurants. The national beverage is coffee and cachaça is Brazil's native liquor. Cachaça is distilled from sugar cane and is the main ingredient in the national cocktail, Caipirinha.
Brazilians tend to be generous and very friendly, even to strangers. The people there embrace art, theatre, music, literature, and poetry as an extension of their diverse and beautiful culture.
A few highlights on Brazilian tourists, but to learn more, visit this website!
According to the Canadian Tourism commission report for the last quarter of 2010, "The Brazil market showed the way forward for CTC’s Emerging/Transition markets (Brazil, China, India, Japan, Mexico and South Korea), posting seriously strong growth in spending (+32%) and overnighters (+26%), leading to an average spend per trip of $1,719." That's a very significant bump, especially when compared to the activity of the UK; our largest overseas travel market, where overnight spending went down 10%.
Who are these people from Brazil traveling to Canada and what type of tourists do they make here?
You might think people in Brazil speak Spanish, but Brazil is the largest Portuguese speaking country in the world! To give you an idea of climate, it's situated in South America and mostly tropical, being called, "land of the palm trees".
The traditional, everyday meal consists mosty of rice and beans with beef and salad. Its common to mix it with cassava flour. Fried potatoes, fried cassava, fried banana, fried meat and fried cheese are very often eaten in lunch and served in most typical restaurants. The national beverage is coffee and cachaça is Brazil's native liquor. Cachaça is distilled from sugar cane and is the main ingredient in the national cocktail, Caipirinha.
Brazilians tend to be generous and very friendly, even to strangers. The people there embrace art, theatre, music, literature, and poetry as an extension of their diverse and beautiful culture.
A few highlights on Brazilian tourists, but to learn more, visit this website!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Hotel Stats - Some Good News
The Hotel News Now has posted stats for the week ending July second from their parent company; STR. BC and Alberta seem to be faring the best leading in RevPAR, a rise of 9.2 and 8.8 respectively over last year. And, they both shared top spots for ADR increases as well. Seems the Westcoast is the place to be if you're operating a hotel in Canada, according to STR. On the other coast, Newfoundland took the biggest hit with their Rev PAR falling 15.8% and their ADR decreased 6.5%! Tough go in Newfoundland.
Read on for the full report....
"The Canadian hotel industry reported mixed results in the three key performance metrics for the week of 26 June-2 July 2011, according to data from STR.
In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry ended the week with a 5.0-percent increase in occupancy to 69.2 percent, a 0.5-percent decrease in average daily rate to CAD$130.29 and a 4.5-percent rise in revenue per available room to CAD$90.19.
Among the provinces, Alberta reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 9.2 percent to 64.2 percent, followed by British Columbia (+8.8 percent to 71.5 percent) and Manitoba (+8.3 percent to 66.2 percent). Newfoundland fell 9.9 percent to 78.0 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
British Columbia rose 4.1 percent in ADR to CAD$143.11, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Alberta with a 3.4-percent increase to CAD$139.41. Prince Edward Island (-6.6 percent to CAD$118.30) and Newfoundland (-6.5 percent to CAD$136.30) reported the largest ADR decreases.
Two provinces achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: British Columbia (+13.3 percent to CAD$102.30) and Alberta (+13.0 percent to CAD$89.54). Newfoundland reported the only double-digit RevPAR decrease, falling 15.8 percent to CAD$106.33."
Read on for the full report....
"The Canadian hotel industry reported mixed results in the three key performance metrics for the week of 26 June-2 July 2011, according to data from STR.
In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry ended the week with a 5.0-percent increase in occupancy to 69.2 percent, a 0.5-percent decrease in average daily rate to CAD$130.29 and a 4.5-percent rise in revenue per available room to CAD$90.19.
Among the provinces, Alberta reported the largest occupancy increase, rising 9.2 percent to 64.2 percent, followed by British Columbia (+8.8 percent to 71.5 percent) and Manitoba (+8.3 percent to 66.2 percent). Newfoundland fell 9.9 percent to 78.0 percent, reporting the largest decrease in that metric.
British Columbia rose 4.1 percent in ADR to CAD$143.11, reporting the largest increase in that metric, followed by Alberta with a 3.4-percent increase to CAD$139.41. Prince Edward Island (-6.6 percent to CAD$118.30) and Newfoundland (-6.5 percent to CAD$136.30) reported the largest ADR decreases.
Two provinces achieved RevPAR increases of more than 10 percent: British Columbia (+13.3 percent to CAD$102.30) and Alberta (+13.0 percent to CAD$89.54). Newfoundland reported the only double-digit RevPAR decrease, falling 15.8 percent to CAD$106.33."
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Canadian Tourism Year in Review 2010
We're still not out of the woods but some improvements are seen in our tourism sector.... check out the Canadian Tourism's review of 2010 Tourism by US Leisure Sector below (our biggest market)and visit the link for complete statistics. Note that the age group of 55+ is our biggest market. I expect we'll see even more from that age group as the infamous baby boomers are just now starting to retire this year. That means downsizing the home is coming and leisure trips will go up. At least they're one group that will have the disposable money to spend so let's attract them!!!
US Leisure
• In 2010, the US had a more sluggish than expected economic recovery, with GDP growth of 2.9%. By the end of the year, economists reported weaker than expected consumer spending, along with declines in construction spending, durable goods orders and home building sales, a reflection of the lingering effects of the 2008-2009 recession. This cooler economic environment impacted both US leisure and business travel in 2010, with slower than expected growth compared with the previous year.
• US leisure travel represents Canada’s largest inbound travel market, accounting for 63% of all
inbound travellers in 2010. US leisure travel to Canada outperformed business travel in 2010, with a moderate increase of 0.9% over 2009.
• While leisure travel to Canada declined in the first two quarters of 2010, the last two quarters saw increases of 2.8% in Q3 and 4.0% in Q4.
• Total spending by US leisure travellers of one or more nights improved in 2010, up 2.8% overall, with the average nightly spend increasing 3.4% to $116.
• This year saw an 8.6% increase in the number of overnight US leisure travellers in who were 55 years of age or older. This age demographic represents the largest segment among US leisure visitors to Canada, accounting for 46.7% of all overnight US leisure
visitors to Canada in 2010. • Experiencing nature became more popular in this market with visiting aquariums/botanical gardens and zoos (+7.9%) and visiting nature parks (+7.2%) both
climbing in 2010.
• In 2010, Québec (+4.2%), British Columbia (+2.0%), Alberta (+1.7%) saw increases in province visits in 2010, while Ontario (-2.1%) experienced a decline. US Meetings Conventions and Incentive Travel (MC&IT)
• US overnight MC&IT travel is Canada’s second largest inbound market after US overnight leisure travel.
• In 2010, 1.7 million US MC&IT overnight travellers visited Canada, a moderate 0.2% decline over the previous year. Of those travellers, 65.8% were male and 64.1% were 45 years of age or older.
• Total spending by this market increased by 3.0% reaching, $1.4 billion, with the average spend per business trip increasing 3.2% to $815.
• The volume of business travellers to Canada saw a staggered recovery in 2010, improving in the 2nd and 4th quarters of 2010, helping to offset the reduced growth in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
• US MC&IT travel to Alberta (-4.9%) and Ontario (-4.0%) slowed in 2010, while Québec (+5.8%) and British Columbia (0.6%) had an increased number of province visits.
• This year, there was a 17.9% increase in interest in attending cultural events among US MC&IT travellers, followed by increases in visiting museums and art galleries (+10.9%) and visiting historic sites (+9.4%) compared with the top activities of 2009.
Source: Canadian Tourism, Tourism Snapshot 2010
US Leisure
• In 2010, the US had a more sluggish than expected economic recovery, with GDP growth of 2.9%. By the end of the year, economists reported weaker than expected consumer spending, along with declines in construction spending, durable goods orders and home building sales, a reflection of the lingering effects of the 2008-2009 recession. This cooler economic environment impacted both US leisure and business travel in 2010, with slower than expected growth compared with the previous year.
• US leisure travel represents Canada’s largest inbound travel market, accounting for 63% of all
inbound travellers in 2010. US leisure travel to Canada outperformed business travel in 2010, with a moderate increase of 0.9% over 2009.
• While leisure travel to Canada declined in the first two quarters of 2010, the last two quarters saw increases of 2.8% in Q3 and 4.0% in Q4.
• Total spending by US leisure travellers of one or more nights improved in 2010, up 2.8% overall, with the average nightly spend increasing 3.4% to $116.
• This year saw an 8.6% increase in the number of overnight US leisure travellers in who were 55 years of age or older. This age demographic represents the largest segment among US leisure visitors to Canada, accounting for 46.7% of all overnight US leisure
visitors to Canada in 2010. • Experiencing nature became more popular in this market with visiting aquariums/botanical gardens and zoos (+7.9%) and visiting nature parks (+7.2%) both
climbing in 2010.
• In 2010, Québec (+4.2%), British Columbia (+2.0%), Alberta (+1.7%) saw increases in province visits in 2010, while Ontario (-2.1%) experienced a decline. US Meetings Conventions and Incentive Travel (MC&IT)
• US overnight MC&IT travel is Canada’s second largest inbound market after US overnight leisure travel.
• In 2010, 1.7 million US MC&IT overnight travellers visited Canada, a moderate 0.2% decline over the previous year. Of those travellers, 65.8% were male and 64.1% were 45 years of age or older.
• Total spending by this market increased by 3.0% reaching, $1.4 billion, with the average spend per business trip increasing 3.2% to $815.
• The volume of business travellers to Canada saw a staggered recovery in 2010, improving in the 2nd and 4th quarters of 2010, helping to offset the reduced growth in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
• US MC&IT travel to Alberta (-4.9%) and Ontario (-4.0%) slowed in 2010, while Québec (+5.8%) and British Columbia (0.6%) had an increased number of province visits.
• This year, there was a 17.9% increase in interest in attending cultural events among US MC&IT travellers, followed by increases in visiting museums and art galleries (+10.9%) and visiting historic sites (+9.4%) compared with the top activities of 2009.
Source: Canadian Tourism, Tourism Snapshot 2010
Monday, June 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Are Your Highschool Days Earning You More?
Were you nerdy enough in highschool to be on the debate club, chess club or school paper? Well, if so, your payback to the jocks and cool kids is that you now likely earn quite a bit more. According to a new study by an economics professor at Cleveland State University, you're probably bringing home a significantly higher pay cheque than kids who were literally too cool for school.
Extracurricular activities are certainly great for developing social skills, but who could know that there's a financial benefit later in life as the study suggests. The study followed 5,000 Americans who were involved in after-school projects, teams and clubs. As adults, they ended up earning salaries 11.8 per cent higher than people who didn't take part in extra activities. The study also discovered that these people are more likely to end up in supervisory roles in their careers, probably because students who engage in extracurricular activities learn to manage tasks and people, in an organized setting.
When you look at hiring new managers for your hotel or restaurant, or want to see who's viable for moving up the ladder, make sure to ask them what activities they were involved in during highschool.
Extracurricular activities are certainly great for developing social skills, but who could know that there's a financial benefit later in life as the study suggests. The study followed 5,000 Americans who were involved in after-school projects, teams and clubs. As adults, they ended up earning salaries 11.8 per cent higher than people who didn't take part in extra activities. The study also discovered that these people are more likely to end up in supervisory roles in their careers, probably because students who engage in extracurricular activities learn to manage tasks and people, in an organized setting.
When you look at hiring new managers for your hotel or restaurant, or want to see who's viable for moving up the ladder, make sure to ask them what activities they were involved in during highschool.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Hospitality Staff Turn-Over and Finger Pointing
If you're particular hotel, restaurant, or region is having high turn-over, you might want to think twice before blaming your in-house HR team or friendly neighbourhood recruiter! According to workplace management expert; Tony Wilson, 90% of staff leave because of poor managers, not their jobs.
“When an employee resigns, many managers point their finger at the reasons beyond their immediate control. In most cases they should point it straight at themselves”, he said. According to Wilson, the single biggest issue which drives an employee to resign is not the job, salary, workplace environment or the company. Instead it is the quality of their relationship between employees and their direct managers.
In Wilson's book, "Jack and the Team that Couldn’t See", he suggests that most mangers spend too much time on operations, systems, strategy, products and services. “While these are important pieces in the performance puzzle, they spend relatively little time developing their people - their greatest competitive advantage”, he said.
In the largest survey of its kind, global research organization Gallup surveyed over a million employees and 80,000 managers to examine why employees stay or leave. The research found the immediate boss is the primary reason people stay and thrive in an organization, and is also the main reason people leave. Recent research from Indian University also examined employees across different work sectors and found that a worker’s relationship with their boss is nearly equal in importance to their relationship with their spouse when it comes to overall well-being.
How workers feel about their managers even affects physical health. A study of hospital workers conducted by Chilterns University College in the UK found that nurses working for hospital supervisors with poor management styles had significantly higher blood pressure than nurses working for bosses judged as understanding and considerate. As a result, the nurses with bad bosses had a roughly 20% higher risk of heart disease.
Being a good manager may seem a simple concept, but it poses a challenge when we recognize that most managers are promoted according to their ability to do a job well, not on how well they can build a team and get the best out of people.
“This probably wasn’t a consideration in any job prior to being a leader. Almost always, a manager is expected to easily transition without the necessary support and skill development”, said Wilson. “Despite the challenges, every manager needs to face the truth about how vital their relationship with their staff is. They must spend time developing their ability to lead and engage people. Get it wrong and staff will walk”, he added.
To avoid staff walking, better to drop the finger pointing game and tap into all your resources; HR, recruiter, managers, to face the challenge of proactively managing staff.
[Source: article by Lesley Horsburg, Recruitment Extra, October 2010]
“When an employee resigns, many managers point their finger at the reasons beyond their immediate control. In most cases they should point it straight at themselves”, he said. According to Wilson, the single biggest issue which drives an employee to resign is not the job, salary, workplace environment or the company. Instead it is the quality of their relationship between employees and their direct managers.
In Wilson's book, "Jack and the Team that Couldn’t See", he suggests that most mangers spend too much time on operations, systems, strategy, products and services. “While these are important pieces in the performance puzzle, they spend relatively little time developing their people - their greatest competitive advantage”, he said.
In the largest survey of its kind, global research organization Gallup surveyed over a million employees and 80,000 managers to examine why employees stay or leave. The research found the immediate boss is the primary reason people stay and thrive in an organization, and is also the main reason people leave. Recent research from Indian University also examined employees across different work sectors and found that a worker’s relationship with their boss is nearly equal in importance to their relationship with their spouse when it comes to overall well-being.
How workers feel about their managers even affects physical health. A study of hospital workers conducted by Chilterns University College in the UK found that nurses working for hospital supervisors with poor management styles had significantly higher blood pressure than nurses working for bosses judged as understanding and considerate. As a result, the nurses with bad bosses had a roughly 20% higher risk of heart disease.
Being a good manager may seem a simple concept, but it poses a challenge when we recognize that most managers are promoted according to their ability to do a job well, not on how well they can build a team and get the best out of people.
“This probably wasn’t a consideration in any job prior to being a leader. Almost always, a manager is expected to easily transition without the necessary support and skill development”, said Wilson. “Despite the challenges, every manager needs to face the truth about how vital their relationship with their staff is. They must spend time developing their ability to lead and engage people. Get it wrong and staff will walk”, he added.
To avoid staff walking, better to drop the finger pointing game and tap into all your resources; HR, recruiter, managers, to face the challenge of proactively managing staff.
[Source: article by Lesley Horsburg, Recruitment Extra, October 2010]
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Foreign Workers' Class Action Suit against a Canadian Restaurant
Have you been hiring foreign workers the past few years or considering doing so now? A suit has been filed against Denny's recently by a group of foreign workers. One worker fired has been compensated, while other aspects of the 10-million class action suit are pending.
As Tom Sanborn wrote for the Tyee, "In Reasons for Determination on a complaint against the company that operates Denny's Restaurants across western Canada, Amanda Clark Welder, delegate for BC's Director of Employment Standards, has ruled that the firm, Northland Properties Corporation, operating as Dencan Restaurants Inc., fired Alberto Sales, a temporary foreign worker from the Philippines, at least in part because he had contacted the Employment Standards Branch.
This ruling follows the ten million dollar class action suit filed recently against the Denny's operators by fifty temporary foreign workers who allege the company did not live up to its legal obligations to them.
The Employment Standards ruling, issued April 29, rejects Denny's claims that Sales had been terminated because of performance issues. It requires the firm to pay Mr. Sales $6,617.06 for wages lost between the time he was fired and the time his temporary work permit would have run out, plus $138.33 in interest.
The ruling held that Denny's had contravened section 83 of the Employment Standards Act, which prohibits punitive firing of workers for making complaints under the act. According Ms. Welder, Denny's management denied that they had broken the law in firing Sales. Speaking to The Tyee in January, Bobby Naicker, Denny's CEO, responded to questions about Sales and the class action suit by saying "We are comfortable we've done the right thing." In March, advocates told The Tyee that Denny's had at least temporarily improved some of its treatment of temporary workers in response to the class action suit.
"Denny's has been found to have engaged in retribution because a temporary foreign worker filed a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch" said Charles Gordon of Fiorillo Glavin Gordon, lawyer for Sales.
Further claims that the temporary foreign workers had been compelled to pay large hiring fees to an agent of Denny's in the Philippines are under ongoing investigation, and the accusation that workers were illegally required to pay for their own airfare to Canada is now part of the class action suit filed in January, and is thus not addressed in the April ruling.)
"Alberto Sales had a contract which clearly provided that Denny's was required to pay his airfare both from and to the Philippines. When he complained that they were not providing that, as well as paying for overtime and raising the issue of agency fees to get the job at Denny's, he was terminated," Gordon said.
Sales has been forced to return to the Philippines, as his work visa required that he continue working for Denny's in order to remain in Canada.
"This further illustrates the vulnerability of workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program," said Gordon."
As Tom Sanborn wrote for the Tyee, "In Reasons for Determination on a complaint against the company that operates Denny's Restaurants across western Canada, Amanda Clark Welder, delegate for BC's Director of Employment Standards, has ruled that the firm, Northland Properties Corporation, operating as Dencan Restaurants Inc., fired Alberto Sales, a temporary foreign worker from the Philippines, at least in part because he had contacted the Employment Standards Branch.
This ruling follows the ten million dollar class action suit filed recently against the Denny's operators by fifty temporary foreign workers who allege the company did not live up to its legal obligations to them.
The Employment Standards ruling, issued April 29, rejects Denny's claims that Sales had been terminated because of performance issues. It requires the firm to pay Mr. Sales $6,617.06 for wages lost between the time he was fired and the time his temporary work permit would have run out, plus $138.33 in interest.
The ruling held that Denny's had contravened section 83 of the Employment Standards Act, which prohibits punitive firing of workers for making complaints under the act. According Ms. Welder, Denny's management denied that they had broken the law in firing Sales. Speaking to The Tyee in January, Bobby Naicker, Denny's CEO, responded to questions about Sales and the class action suit by saying "We are comfortable we've done the right thing." In March, advocates told The Tyee that Denny's had at least temporarily improved some of its treatment of temporary workers in response to the class action suit.
"Denny's has been found to have engaged in retribution because a temporary foreign worker filed a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch" said Charles Gordon of Fiorillo Glavin Gordon, lawyer for Sales.
Further claims that the temporary foreign workers had been compelled to pay large hiring fees to an agent of Denny's in the Philippines are under ongoing investigation, and the accusation that workers were illegally required to pay for their own airfare to Canada is now part of the class action suit filed in January, and is thus not addressed in the April ruling.)
"Alberto Sales had a contract which clearly provided that Denny's was required to pay his airfare both from and to the Philippines. When he complained that they were not providing that, as well as paying for overtime and raising the issue of agency fees to get the job at Denny's, he was terminated," Gordon said.
Sales has been forced to return to the Philippines, as his work visa required that he continue working for Denny's in order to remain in Canada.
"This further illustrates the vulnerability of workers under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program," said Gordon."
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Proof Restaurants Hit Hard by BC's HST
I came across this news release by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association(CRFA) and felt it warranted reprinting here for your information:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2011
VANCOUVER – Nearly nine in 10 restaurateurs have seen a drop in sales since the introduction of the HST and new drinking-and-driving penalties in British Columbia, according to a province-wide survey by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
Overall restaurant sales dropped by an average of 15% in the seven months following the July 2010 introduction of the HST, according to survey respondents. Liquor sales in particular fell by 21% in the four months following the introduction of new blood alcohol content (BAC) regulations in late Sept. 2010.
In the same survey, 68% of B.C. restaurateurs said they will vote against HST as it is currently structured in the upcoming HST referendum.
“For several months these two public policies have stalled any post-recession recovery in British Columbia’s restaurant industry – a recovery that has already taken hold in other provinces,” says Mark von Schellwitz, CRFA Vice President, Western Canada. “The restaurant industry is the fourth-largest private-sector employer in B.C. and contributes to communities all across the province. We urge the government to stop giving British Columbians more reasons to stay home, and work with us to create a better business climate for our members and their customers.”
The CRFA survey finds that:
Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of respondents reported a drop in sales since HST took effect;
The average decrease in sales was 15% between July 2010 and Jan. 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier;
68% of respondents say they will vote against HST as it is currently structured;
88% of licensed restaurant and bar operators said the new .05 drinking and driving penalties resulted in a drop in liquor sales;
Licensees reported an average 21% loss in liquor sales between Oct. 2010 and Jan. 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier;
As a result of the declining sales caused by HST and the new drinking and driving penalties, 72% of respondents said they have cut back on staff hours, 54% are offering more deals and promotions to keep customers, 31% are doing more advertising and marketing, and 20% have reduced their hours of operation.
The CRFA online survey of restaurant owners and operators was conducted between March 23 and March 31, 2011. The findings represent 1,909 B.C. businesses.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2011
VANCOUVER – Nearly nine in 10 restaurateurs have seen a drop in sales since the introduction of the HST and new drinking-and-driving penalties in British Columbia, according to a province-wide survey by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
Overall restaurant sales dropped by an average of 15% in the seven months following the July 2010 introduction of the HST, according to survey respondents. Liquor sales in particular fell by 21% in the four months following the introduction of new blood alcohol content (BAC) regulations in late Sept. 2010.
In the same survey, 68% of B.C. restaurateurs said they will vote against HST as it is currently structured in the upcoming HST referendum.
“For several months these two public policies have stalled any post-recession recovery in British Columbia’s restaurant industry – a recovery that has already taken hold in other provinces,” says Mark von Schellwitz, CRFA Vice President, Western Canada. “The restaurant industry is the fourth-largest private-sector employer in B.C. and contributes to communities all across the province. We urge the government to stop giving British Columbians more reasons to stay home, and work with us to create a better business climate for our members and their customers.”
The CRFA survey finds that:
Nearly nine in 10 (87%) of respondents reported a drop in sales since HST took effect;
The average decrease in sales was 15% between July 2010 and Jan. 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier;
68% of respondents say they will vote against HST as it is currently structured;
88% of licensed restaurant and bar operators said the new .05 drinking and driving penalties resulted in a drop in liquor sales;
Licensees reported an average 21% loss in liquor sales between Oct. 2010 and Jan. 2011 compared to the same period a year earlier;
As a result of the declining sales caused by HST and the new drinking and driving penalties, 72% of respondents said they have cut back on staff hours, 54% are offering more deals and promotions to keep customers, 31% are doing more advertising and marketing, and 20% have reduced their hours of operation.
The CRFA online survey of restaurant owners and operators was conducted between March 23 and March 31, 2011. The findings represent 1,909 B.C. businesses.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Hotel Stats Available Jan/Feb 2011
Just released: Canadian Hotel Stats, PVK Jan/Feb 2011.
In reviewing the hotel room rates and revenues throughout Canada, one thing caught my eye for the first time that makes me wonder, "Am I living in the right province?".....
Revenue Per Room Availalbe 2011:
Atlantic Canada 41.16
Quebec 58.57
Ontario 54.31
Alberta 60.40
Saskatchewan 70.64
BC 52.20
NW Territories 89.14
OK, so Alberta's higher rate is no shocker, nor is the NW Territories, but Saskatchewan??? What's happening in the Prairie's that I don't know about?
Check out the ups and downs of the hotel industry and watch for trends via the PVK reports at the hotelassociation[dot]ca website.
In reviewing the hotel room rates and revenues throughout Canada, one thing caught my eye for the first time that makes me wonder, "Am I living in the right province?".....
Revenue Per Room Availalbe 2011:
Atlantic Canada 41.16
Quebec 58.57
Ontario 54.31
Alberta 60.40
Saskatchewan 70.64
BC 52.20
NW Territories 89.14
OK, so Alberta's higher rate is no shocker, nor is the NW Territories, but Saskatchewan??? What's happening in the Prairie's that I don't know about?
Check out the ups and downs of the hotel industry and watch for trends via the PVK reports at the hotelassociation[dot]ca website.
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