National #TakeoutDay boosts sales for Canadian restaurateurs

April 22, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – Canadian restaurants saw a spike in sales during National #TakeoutDay which was held April 15.

Increased restaurant sales were observed from Vancouver, B.C., and Estevan, Sask., to Toronto, Ont., and Chéticamp, N.B.

On National #TakeoutDay Canadians were encouraged to order from their favourite local restaurants.

Massive support for restaurants poured in, through increased takeout orders and heartfelt messages of encouragement all over social media.

“The preliminary numbers are showing an overall range of 15-to-40-per-cent sales increases in restaurants across the country over the prior week,” said Robert Carter, managing partner at The StratonHunter Group.

Canada Takeout also received feedback from many restaurants across the country reporting sales increases from 20 per cent up to 60 per cent, with some operators selling out over the previous week.

Restaurateur Jim Hamilton of Habaneros Mexican Grill in Leduc, Alta., wrote, “Sales were double the previous Wednesday. Customers did say #TakeoutDay influenced them to order.”

In Ontario, Lone Star Texas Grill saw increases of up to 61 per cent and reported having been busier than anticipated.
Canada Takeout is asking Canadians to continue supporting this initiative until restaurants can welcome them back into their dining rooms again.

“Thousands of independent restaurants will likely be forced to close forever,” said Janet Zuccarini, CEO of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group and Food Network Canada’s top chef. “Millions more, up and down the supply chain, including farmers, fishermen, linen suppliers, cleaners, beverage distributors, etc., will be gravely affected and the economic fallout will be staggering. Support for our local restaurants by way of takeout is the only chance we have to make it to the other side of this nightmare.”

According to Robert Carter of the StratonHunter Group, 10 per cent of restaurants have permanently closed since the onset of the crisis, and he projects this number will double by the time businesses return to post-COVID operations unless there is significant support.

The takeout movement continues every Wednesday and includes support from Canada’s Great Kitchen Party – Home Edition, which saw over 125,000 views last week. Canadians are invited back to Facebook at 8 p.m. EST for another all-star lineup that includes Jim Cuddy, Barney Bentall, Alan Doyle, Sam Roberts, Tom Cochrane and Jully Black.

For more information on how Canadians can support their local restaurants, go to www.CanadaTakeout.com.