The pandemic has not only brought negative effects for entrepreneurs in Quebec and it is also true for restaurateurs. Many of them, despite the forced closures of their dining halls, saw opportunities present themselves and they took advantage of them. Thus, several thousand dollars have been invested recently by several dozen restaurateurs. Here are some interesting stories ...
Processing and distribution plant
Chez Gérard, a restaurant established since 1976 in Saint-Georges, took advantage of the pandemic to begin distributing its products in five local grocery stores. Previously, they were only on sale in restaurants. It's pies, spaghetti sauce, Joe Louis cakes and a maple syrup pie.
With the closure of the dining rooms, production in the restaurant's kitchen was going well. But with the reopening, the match is rather difficult, given the population's demand for the products.
The company has acquired a 4,500 square foot processing plant. This is a significant investment, especially since the building will have to be adapted to accommodate a production that can supply nearly 100 grocery stores. This is the short-term goal set by Chez Gérard owner Amélie St-Hilaire.
Foodtastic gets its hands on Milestone
Montreal group Foodtastic makes a new acquisition. This is the Milestone chain, which has some 40 establishments spread across Canada, but still not in Quebec. This should change over the next few months.
Bâton Rouge, inmate for the MTY group, is reported to be the most Milestone-like competitor. We find on the menu seafood, grilled meats, pasta and fish.
Within the next three years, we should already find ten in Quebec. The investment should then amount to 30 million.
The group’s most recent purchase would be the largest in its history, more than double any other transaction in recent years.
Buffet des continents becomes Saveurs des continents
The pandemic has shed light on hygiene and the implementation of sanitary measures that will hopefully remain in place to protect us from viruses of all kinds.
Thus, "buffet" restaurants have been forced to review their business model. This is the case for the Buffet des continents, which has nine branches across Quebec.
First, the company decided to change its name to Flavors of the Continents. Second, buffet men were hired to serve customers' plates. Gone, therefore, the customer who serves himself. The well-known excellent buffet formula has thus been enhanced. Something to reassure customers while offering additional exceptional service.
$ 400,000 for Pizza Salvatoré de Québec
This project had been in the works for several years within the management team of the Pizza Salvatoré chain: to bring some of its oldest restaurants up to date.
The kick-off has been given in recent weeks when Pizza Salvatoré on rue Bouvier in Quebec City has received $ 400,000 in love. This branch is one of the most successful in the chain and is considered the darling of the group.
And that's not all. The family business, founded in 1964 by Salvatoré Abbatiello, is literally on the rise, growing from 18 branches to 25 in just four months.
The secret of their success? A concept specializing in take out and delivery orders, adapted to the COVID era and what will follow.
That's a lot of money invested in Quebec by restaurateurs who haven't all had it easy for over 18 months!
