It’s Almost (Dinner) Party Time! Post-Lockdown Expectations for the Restaurant Industry

As Chase Merchant Services conducted a study with 600 Canadians to find out how consumers plan to dine in or out post-lockdown. Here are some takeaways restaurants can leverage to capture consumers appetites.

A One-of-a-Kind Dining Experience with 65% of Canadians being more likely to dine at a restaurant where outdoor seating is offered, make it special!

Expand your outdoor dining area, decorate the space and offer sheltered seating for rainy and colder days

Consider off-peak (e.g. weekday) specials and “rainy weather specials” to maximize your outdoor space

Create a themed feature night with tasting menus and beverage pairings

It’s All Table Stakes
80% want to keep sanitizing at least until the end of the year
81% want contactless payments options
85% want to maintain socially distanced tables

Got a Deal?
There’s nothing new about promotions but the type of promotions and channels they’re shared on are important
48% prefer email
18% prefer website
13% prefer social media
4% prefer text/sms messages

Online Payments Dominate
It’s not too late for restaurants that aren’t already offering in-app or online payment options for take out orders to start. More than half of Millennials and Gen-X prefer paying this way.
Pay In-Person
In-APP/Online

Ordering Direct vs. 3rd Party Delivery Apps
Consumers prefer
70% ordering directly from restaurants
12% ordering from 3rd party apps

Savings on delivery fees is the #1 driver for choosing to order directly from restaurants.
Top 3 Ways Consumers Learn About New Restaurants
63% Friends and Family
31% Search Engine
31% Social Media

Build your social presence
Invite local bloggers and influencers to dine
Create unique experiences, Instagrammable décor, or dishes that encourage sharing
Run contests and/or offers to encourage sharing on social media
(e.g. free appetizer or discount for checking in on social)

Chase Merchant Services
Canada Consumer Pulse Poll conducted online by AR&D on behalf of Chase
Merchant Services between April 30 and May 16, 2021. Sample size = 600
with a margin of error of +/- 4% at 95% confidence level.
Sample stratified by Gender, Age (Adults 18 and older), and Province