Simply put, it has not been a good time for the food and beverage industry. StatsCan says Canadian spending on food service and restaurants reached its lowest point in decades during the second quarter of 2020, dropping below 20 percent of all consumer spending on food.
These days, Canadians are not going to bars and restaurants. Paradoxically, for just that reason, this could in fact be a good time to open a sports bar in Canada.
The fact is: Canadians want to go to a bar. The easing of dine-in restrictions in Canada’s largest provinces this past spring have demonstrated a pent-up demand for dine-in services. The National Restaurant Association says 83 percent of adults aren’t eating at restaurant locations as much as they’d like, a rate much higher than the pre-pandemic percentage of 45.
As vaccinations increase and a sense of normalcy returns, Canadians will want to return to their pre-pandemic habits. They miss doing things like relaxing at a sports bar, and they’ll go back once the time is right. Since the demand is there; the question then becomes: “Who will supply this demand at that time?”
Opportunities reveal themselves during a crisis. If you’re thinking about opening a sports bar franchise in Canada in 2021, consider the following points:
The New Standards
To combat the pandemic, provinces across the country have shut down or limited their restaurant and bar industries in various capacities. As devastating this has been for many businesses, it also showed bars and restaurants the new standards that they need to adopt in order to survive.
The pandemic has encouraged Canadians to use takeout and delivery services. As much as they want to go back to their favourite sports bar, it’s likely they will continue to use these services. An AAL poll found that 49 percent of respondents said they intend to keep ordering online at least once a week after the pandemic is over. As such, you should ensure your sports bar provides great takeout and delivery services to meet the demand of your customers.
Another consideration a new bar should make has to do with outdoor patios. Previously, the Canadian climate restricted their use to the few summer months available. Now that the pandemic has happened, outdoor patios have seen extended use due to their improved circulation. Space is always limited for a bar and restaurant, but you should try to prioritize space for an outdoor patio.
What’s more, other consumer trends brought on by the “new normal” may continue after the pandemic is over. For example, customers may come to expect touchless payment and ordering as the new standard. Get on top of the trend, and try to anticipate the needs of your customers.
But you don’t have to do it by yourself. By becoming franchisee, you’ll receive support from a trustworthy business that has weathered through storms before. Partner up, and you’ll see that you can go further than you thought.
Getting Support from a Franchise
Successfully opening a sports bar in Canada is difficult even during the best of times. That’s why it makes sense to get support for your sports bar from an established franchise.
Partnering with a franchise can provide a competitive advantage in today’s challenging F&B industry. As a franchisee, your sports bar will become part of an established brand that has name recognition. You’ll receive support and training to help you with your launch. What’s more, you’ll have the independence to operate your bar in the way that you want.
But that’s not the best part. By becoming a franchisee, you will be able to attract brand new customers who have never been to your bar before. With franchise support and a built-in following of loyal customers, your bar can hit the ground running in addition to getting a head start.
The Full Bar Experience
After months of quarantine and lockdowns, Canadians can’t be blamed for catching cabin fever. It’s easy to predict that Canadians are raring to go back to bars and restaurants once the time is right. However, we should remember that the consumer trend of staying at home had begun before the pandemic hit. Home theatres, video game systems, and video streaming services make it very easy for consumers to pass the time at home.
To attract customers to your bar, you need to give them a bar experience. Your bar has to provide things that can’t be experienced at home. In addition to your ambiance and fun environment, your sports bar needs to provide plenty of TV screens for watching sports. It needs a robust audio system to keep the party going. It needs great decor and features like karaoke to make it a place to which customers want to return.
By working with a franchise, you’ll receive guidelines on how to optimize your bar. Put it all together in a layout with a dance floor and boom—you’ve become the favourite hangout of your neighbourhood.
A Well-Curated Menu
No Canadian sports bar is complete with good food. Your customers want to have a good time, and they’ll expect to be served tasty treats that are comforting and filling. Fortunately with a franchise, you’ll inherit a pre-set menu that has vetted by a loyal following. Serve your customers the barbecue wings and hamburgers they crave, and your sports bar is well on its way to becoming a neighbourhood institution.
Opening a sports bar under current circumstances is nothing short of intimidating. But with the help of a franchise, your sports bar can surpass the new standards of our times and enjoy newfound success.
Are you interested in opening a franchise? Contact St. Louis Bar & Grill to find out about available opportunities!
