Surviving the economic vortex: How restaurants can weather inflation's storm
As inflation tightens its grip on the economy, many people are feeling the pinch, from housing to transportation to retail and services, including restaurants.
"We don't go out near as often as we used to. How often, where we go, you stick to the reasonable restaurants, and [we] found out that some of the quick foods are not reasonable anymore," said resident Bill Bell.
The food service industry is in a difficult position as rising food costs and customer expectations continue to pose challenges.
Deb Heels owns Deb's Place on Huronia Road in Barrie and is concerned.
"Food costs go up almost on a daily basis as a restaurant owner, I can't put my costs up on a daily basis to cover those. Cautiously optimistic is a good way to put it, yes, because who knows what tomorrow will bring, what with the cost of things increasing, how it will affect us," said Heels.
Restaurants Canada says 62 per cent of restaurants are operating at a loss or are barely breaking even, compared to 12 per cent pre-pandemic.
Su Ling Liu owns and operates Chef Chan Chinese Food in Barrie. She was forced to raise her prices about a year and a half ago but is concerned she might lose business if she does it again.
"I really worry for me to lose customers because if you keep the price for the food going up. This year, they are going up for at least 50 per cent to 55 per cent for the food cost," Liu said.
Restaurants Canada says the food service industry is a $114 billion industry.
According to restaurant owners, customers may not be aware that food prices have increased for takeout.
Even these new wood forks and knives cost them more than double what they paid for plastic. While they're not against the environmentally friendly move, they say it's yet another extra cost.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.