Restaurants Canada ‘Picture life without restaurants’ campaign includes PSA for public and toolkit for restaurants

Toronto – Restaurants Canada has launched its “Picture life without restaurants” campaign calling on consumers across Canada to take action and support their local restaurant through dine-in (where available), takeout, delivery or by purchasing gift cards.

“The vast majority of Canadian consumers are concerned that restaurants in their community may not survive and feel that restaurants are an important part of their community,” said Todd Barclay, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “The holiday season is usually one of the busiest times of the year for restaurants. This year, with so many under lockdown, it will be devastating. We are asking consumers to take a stand and show their support for their local restaurants during this crucial time of the year.”

Restaurants can download the “Restaurants Are Family” toolkit, which provides a diverse and helpful set of options for every operator and the entire supply chain of the food-service industry to participate in this action.

The goal of the multi-channel “Picture life without restaurants” Campaign is to inform consumers that without their support, restaurants will continue to close. This will ultimately leave gaping holes in the economy and the lives of Canadians. Many communities across Canada have grown around local restaurants, cafes and bakeries.

The campaign features a public service announcement (PSA) that emphasizes that restaurants are crucial to our neighbourhoods and, by linking special moments that consumers have had in restaurants, will reinforce that a life without restaurants is an empty one, the association said in a news release.

A website called SupportRestaurants.ca where consumers can pledge their support in the form of actions they will take to support their local restaurant.

Restaurants can also download the “Restaurants Are Family” toolkit, which provides a diverse and helpful set of options for every operator and the entire supply chain of the food-service industry to participate in this action.