Find Books

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Restaurant management.
• Food service management. 
• Food service industry.
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

 

 

illume
A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

Find Business Plans

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

 

Business Plans

Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Delicatessen and Bakery Business Plan
• Deli Restaurant Business Plan 
• Ethnic Food Restaurant Business Plan
• Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan
• Fine Dining Restaurant Business Plan
• Franchise Sandwich Shop Business Plan
• Healthy Restaurant Business Plan
• Italian Restaurant Business Plan
• Mediterranean Restaurant Business Plan
• Mexican Restaurant Business Plan
• Movie Theater Restaurant Business Plan
• Organic Restaurant Business Plan
• Pasta Italian Restaurant Business Plan
• Pie Restaurant Business Plan
• Pizzeria Business Plan
• Pizzeria Franchise Business Plan
• Sandwich Restaurant Business Plan
• Steak Buffet Restaurant Business Plan
• Steak Restaurant Business Plan
• Themed Restaurant Business Plan

 

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Restaurant Business Plan - Butcher Hollow Bar B Q
• Restaurant Business Plan - Cafe Fresco
• Restaurant (Nonprofit) Business Plan - McMurphy’s Grill 
• Pizza and Pasta Restaurant - Geno’s Pizza and Pasta
• Build Your Own Pizza Business Plan - Wood Flame Artisan Pizza, Inc. 
• Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan - Pasta Express
• Vegetarian Fast Food Restaurant Business Plan - Benny and Dell’s 
• Diner Business Plan - Shoestrings
• Delivery-only Restaurant Business Plan - HungryCloud Concepts
• Restaurant/ Microbrewery Business Plan - Homesteader’s Pub and Grub 
• Restaurant Franchise - Stephenson’s Inc., dba Reuben’s Deli

 

SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

Are there any other business plan sources you can find? Try: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/services/for-businesses/entrepreneurs-and-small-businesses/business-plans-index/ 

 

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

• Restaurant Marketing Plan
• Pasta Restaurant Marketing Plan
• Sandwich Restaurant Marketing Plan

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

Find Capital

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

 

Other Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process. There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business.

 

Government Funding

This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here:

Business Grants and Financing 

Personal Savings

This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.

Personal Loans

This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.

Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending

Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.

Private Financing/Equity Financing

This types of financing comes in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Worldwide Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurant Industry to 2025 - Featuring Ark Restaurants, Chipotle Mexican Grill and McDonald's Among Others. (2020, October 30). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Global Food Service Industry: Food Service Industry market worldwide is projected to grow by US$1. 1 Trillion, driven by a compounded growth of 4%. Conventional Food Service, one of the segments analyzed and sized in this study, displays the potential to grow at over 4. (2020, January 31). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• The Global Restaurant Management Software Market is expected to grow by $ 2.95 bn during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 14.04% during the forecast period: Global Restaurant Management Software Market 2021-2025 The analyst has been monitoring the restaurant management software market and it is poised to grow by $ 2. 95 bn during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of 14. (2021, November 31). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Trends Shaping Canada’s Restaurant and Hospitality Industry in 2022: Restaurants Canada shares new food & beverage trends to be showcased at #RCShow set to change how we dine; see how COVID-19 has shifted Canadians’ dining experiences moving forward. (2021, December 21). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Canada Food and Drink report - Q1 2022. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

• A Year into the Pandemic the Canadian Restaurant Industry Is Learning to Pivot and Adapt Despite Significant Visit Loss: Although the Canadian restaurant industry has improved since the pandemic began, the industry has lost 326,000 visits/orders from the first quarter of 2019 through the first quarter of 2021, reports The NPD Group. (2021, May 21). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

• Unified Data Forms Exclusive Partnership with Restaurants Canada to Revive Restaurant Industry. (2021, December 2). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database.

• Wholesale liquor pricing will go a long way to help revive B.C. restaurant industry: The province’s move to permanently allow licensed restaurants and drinking places to purchase beer, wine and spirits at wholesale prices fulfills a longstanding recommendation from Restaurants Canada. (2021, February 23). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

• Gregorash, Bill J. (2019). The modern Canadian restaurant: food for thought. (Publication No. 13885584). Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes. 9(4), 442-450. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection database. 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• (2021, December). Restaurants And Mobile Food Services Global Market Competitor Briefing 2021. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/restaurants-and-mobile-food-services-global-market-briefing.html 
• (2020, November). Restaurants And Mobile Food Services Investment Competitor Outlook 2020. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/restaurants-and-mobile-food-services-global-market-briefing-mkb076f.html 
• (2020, April). Restaurants And Mobile Food Services Global Market Competitor Briefing 2020. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/tbrc-market-briefs/restaurants-and-mobile-food-services-global-market-briefing-mkb076e.html 
• (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Full-Service Restaurants Industry-Industry & Market Report. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/barnes-reports/full-service-restaurants-industry.html 
• (2020, October). 2021 U.S. Fast Food Restaurants Industry-Industry & Market Report. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://academic-bccresearch-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/partners/barnes-reports/fast-food-restaurants-industry.html 

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Ucci, S.. (2021). BUFFET OF BRANDS: Dig into dozens of casual and full-service restaurant franchise opportunities. FranchiseCanada Magazine. 27(2), 20-38.
• Kim, Y., & Bhalla, N.. (2022). Can SMEs in the food industry expect competitive advantages from proactive CSR when CSR trade-offs exist? Corporate Communications: An International Journal. Sept/Oct 2021, 304-328.
• (2021). Canada’s Restaurant Count Declined by 5,000 Counts in 2020.  Western Restaurant News. 28(1), 8.
• Hagan, S., & Hertzberg, E. (2021, June 28). Spike in Restaurant Job Listings Bodes Well for Canada’s Recovery. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Mahroof, M., Omar, A., & Kucukaltan, B.. (2022). Sustainable food supply chains: overcoming key challenges through digital technologies. International Journal of Productivity & Performance Management. 71(3), 981-1003.
• Wade, R., Holmes, R. H., & Gibbs, C. (2018). The Challenges of Full-Service Restaurant Brand Internationalization: A United States/Canada Perspective. Journal of Foodservice Business Research. 21(2), 139-153.

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• (2022) Restaurants - Quarterly Update 2/7/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Restaurants, Bars, and Food Services - Quarterly Update 2/28/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/24/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Casual Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/17/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• DellaCamera, Christopher. Full-Service Restaurants in Canada. (2021, September). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72221CA | Accommodation and Food Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Buchko, Matthew. Fast Food Restaurants in Canada. (2021, May). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72221aCA | Accommodation and Food Services  in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, Samuel. Restaurants & Hotel Equipment Wholesaling in Canada. (2021, December). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 41792CA | Wholesale Trade  in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Le, Thi. Single-Location Full-Service Restaurants in the US. (2021, May). US Industry (NAICS) Report 72221b. | Accommodation and Food Services  in the US. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Le, Thi. Fast Food Restaurants in the US. (2021, October). US Industry (NAICS) Report 72221a. | Accommodation and Food Services  in the US. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Hiner, Jacqueline. Chain Restaurants in the US. (2021, August). US Industry (NAICS) Report 72221a. | Accommodation and Food Services in the US. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Rose, Arielle. Restaurants & Hotel Equipment Wholesaling in the US.. (2021, October). US Industry (NAICS) Report 42344. | Wholesale Trade in the US. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, June). Restaurants & Foodservice: Canada. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, February). Restaurants & Foodservice: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020, May). Food Carryout and Delivery: Special COVID-19 Consumer Insights. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, May). Foodservice Single-Use Products: Canada. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, May). Fast Food: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2019, November). Eating Trends: Restaurant Use. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• (2022) Restaurants - Quarterly Update 2/7/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Restaurants, Bars, and Food Services - Quarterly Update 2/28/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/24/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Casual Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/17/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 

 

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

• Lock, S. (2022, January 28). Gross sales of restaurant chains Canada 2020 by gross sales. Survey on household spending. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Shahbandeh, M. (2022, March 4). Average annual household expenditure on food purchased from restaurants in Canada from 2010 to 2019 (in 1,000 Canadian dollars)*. Survey on household spending. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Lock, S. (2021, October 7). Market size of the quick service restaurant sector in Canada from 2011 to 2020, with a forecast 2021. IBISWorld. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Lock, S. (2022, February 8). Restaurants in the US- statistics and facts. IBISWorld. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Lock, S. (2021, June 17). Eating out behavior in the US- statistics and facts. IBISWorld. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2021). Statista dossier on Restaurants & Nightlife in the U.S. Statista. Statista Industry Report - NAICS Code 722. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• Lock, S. (2021, June 15). Most likely ways that restaurants will change their business model in the next two years in North America as of August 2020. How the pandemic has transformed Food Services & Food Retail. Panasonic. Retrieved from Statista database.
• Lock, S. (2021, June 14). Most challenging changes in consumer behavior for restaurants in North America as of August 2020. How the pandemic has transformed Food Services & Food Retail. Panasonic. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Carruthers, B. (2021, September). Why brands need to think local post-pandemic. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• Carruthers, B. (2021, September). Behind Burger King’s agile marketing. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2021). Wendy’s: Grown with Love. Cannes Creative Lions.  Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2021). Legal Sea Foods: Welcome to Legal. Cannes Creative Lions.  Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2021). McDonald's: From American import to 'as Canadian as possible under the circumstances'.. Cannes Creative Lions.  Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020).  Behind Burger King’s agile marketing. MMA Strategies. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

Food Science and Technology Abstracts

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Food Science & Technology Abstracts (FSTA) provides coverage of all aspects of food science, nutrition, food products, food processing, food safety, food spoilage, biotechnology, and pet foods. 

• Goddard, E. The impact of COVID-19 on food retail and food service in Canada: a second assessment. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 69(2), 167-175. Retrieved from Food Science and Technology Abstracts database. 

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• Gill, A. (2021, May 16). In Vancouver, pandemic pushes Chinese restaurants onto the patio: Most Chinese restaurants have not been taking advantage of the temporary expedited patio programs - there are only about 20 out of hundreds of restaurants across Metro Vancouver. The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from NexisUni database. 
• Gold, K.. (2021, October 29). 'Cautious optimism' for Gastown comeback: As stores, restaurants reopen in the area, many hope the historic Vancouver neighbourhood will soon have a renaissance. The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from NexisUni database. 
• Matsumoto, N. (2021, April 18). From cheese distributor to chef, members of restaurant industry reveal what life is like one year into COVID-19 pandemic: Nancy Matsumoto checks in on the status of members of the restaurant industry one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from NexisUni database. 
• Gill, A. (2020, January 10). How Vancouver's Chancho Tortilleria and Beetbox restaurants make eating vegan easy: These two excellent downtown Vancouver restaurants, both recently reinvented by omnivore chefs, do all the heavy lifting for you. The Globe and Mail (Online). Retrieved from NexisUni database. 

Industry News

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

 

Associations

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

 

Canadian Associations

British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) | The BCRFA is an industry organization that represents over 3,000 restaurant and foodservice businesses across British Columbia.

Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFCC) | The CCFCC is Canada's largest professional chefs' organization. Its goal is to unite chefs and cooks across Canada in a common dedication to professional excellence.

Restaurants Canada | Restaurants Canada (formerly the CFRA) represents every sector of Canada's foodservice industry. Check out the Industry News and Research sections, and their Foodservice Facts 2021. 

Canadian Franchise Association | The voice of the Canadian Franchise industry, connects people with franchise opportunities and promotes best practice. Check out their Directory for restaurant franchise opportunities.

International Associations

National Restaurant Association (US) | The National Restaurant Association represents more than 380,000 restaurant-related businesses in the US. Check out the Operations section.

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for business planning. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

Eat Magazine | BC-based food and wine magazine featuring restaurant reviews, recipes, wine recommendations, and more. Published bi-monthly, print and digital.

MENU | MENU, Restaurant Canada’s foodservice magazine, serves fresh, authentic stories and photos that truly reflect the vibrant, innovative industry. They inspire, educate and empower entrepreneurs and restaurateurs to take their businesses to new heights.

Food in Canada | The voice of the Canadian food and beverage industry. Published 9 times per year, print and digital.

Canadian Restaurant News | Official magazine of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, print and digital (CRFA).

Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine | Canada's hospitality business magazine. Provides foodservice operators with information on how to successfully grow their businesses. Published 12 times per year, print and digital.

Modern Restaurant Management | Focused on all aspects of restaurant management news this online magazine posts news items on a daily basis, incorporates profiles, trends and expert advice.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

Firsthand Career Platform
A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

• Understanding the Canadian consumer of the moment: Canadian Consumer Insights 2021, Pulse 2 https://www.pwc.com/ca/en/industries/consumer-markets/consumer-insights-2021-pulse-2.html
• Accelerating shifts driving a radical rethink of the customer journey: Canadian Consumer Insights 2020 https://www.pwc.com/ca/en/industries/consumer-markets/consumer-insights…

 

Blogs, Podcasts, & Discussion Forums 

Blogs

Modern Restaurant Management | Modern Restaurant Management is the go-to resource for on-the-go restaurant-industry professionals, providing management news focused on all aspects of the restaurant industry- or, as they fondly call it, the “business of eating”. The magazine posts daily news items, incorporates profiles of restauranteurs and managers, offers advice on trends, and dispenses expert advice on management.  

The Restaurateur | Run by a New England accounting and advisory firm, provides practical and focused advice for restaurateurs. Recent topics include tax considerations in selling your restaurant business, accounting for gift cards correctly, and sustainability trends in the hospitality industry. 

Open for Business by OpenTable | Leading restaurant reservation software company OpenTable has collated a wealth of information and personal stories from restaurant owners and managers on their blog. Recent posts have ranged from “Beyond TikTok: 5 Ways to Attract Gen Z To Your Restaurant” to “Tips to Get the Word Out About Private Spaces”. 

The Restaurant Manifesto | Restaurant Manifesto’s manifesto and raison d’etre is “to help improve your dining experiences by giving you the tools you need to engage with waitstaff more productivity. Becoming a more conscientious diner will result in better service and more successful meals!” To this end, they offer offbeat advice about restaurant life and help readers understand the way that restaurants work. Their advice is geared toward diners, but is useful for chefs and restaurateurs who want to keep their pulse on what’s happening in the front-of-house.  

 

Podcasts

Restaurant Unstoppable | What do the most successful entrepreneurs know that you don't? Restaurant Unstoppable is on a mission to find out and impart that knowledge to YOU. Their guests include today’s most successful restaurateurs and restaurant professionals, who share tips and insights on what it takes to be successful in the restaurant industry, and how to lead, manage, and market a successful restaurant. 

Bar and Restaurant Podcast | Arizona-based Bar and Restaurant Podcast brings you longform interviews featuring local Arizonan restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. Their stories reveal trends and intimate behind the scene insights from the hospitality industry, tied together by a mission to make EVERYTHING you listen to as informative and entertaining as possible.

Secret Sauce: The Restaurant Marketing Podcast | Secret Sauce looks at the ingredients of the secret formula for your own original restaurant branding and marketing, including SEO, Facebook, Twitter, emails, coupons, yield utilization, USPs, Menu engineering, direct mail, Instagram, partnerships. They believe that, with the right combination of these ingredients, you can find more customers and turn them into repeat customers. Recent episodes have included deep-dives on delivery apps and advice on Managing the Great Resignation. 

The Garnish: A Podcast for Restaurant People | The Garnish brings you longform stories and advice from restaurateurs, managers, chefs, and everyone else who powers the restaurant industry. They share advice generously, weaving their journeys through the restaurant industry in with their personal stories of resilience and strength. Guests have included Irene Li of Mei Mei in Boston and Ashish Alfred of Duck Duck Goose in Baltimore. 

The Eat North Podcast | Eat North is one of the only podcasts around exclusively dedicated to the wonders of Canada’s own food scene. It’s hosted by a mix of food writers, who’ve been everywhere there’s anything to eat, and recognizable Canadians who talk about the food and cultural scene in Canada’s cities and towns. It’s a must-listen for any entrepreneur and restaurateur who wants the latest beat on the food scene in their locale and beyond.  

 

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

Government Websites

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

 

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Detailed food spending, Canada, regions and provinces

 

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• 722- Food services and drinking places 
• 722511- Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

 

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Start here: Food Services and Drinking Places Sales

 

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• Accommodation and Food Services https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Information/Industry-Information/Industry-Profiles/Accommodation-and-Food-Services
• Restaurant and Food Service Managers https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/0631
• Chefs https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/6321
• Food and Beverage Servers https://www.workbc.ca/Jobs-Careers/Explore-Careers/Browse-Career-Profile/6513 

 

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

AgEcon Search: Research in Agricultural and Applied Economics
AgEcon Search collects, indexes, and electronically distributes full text copies of scholarly research in the broadly defined field of agricultural economics including sub disciplines such as agribusiness, food supply, natural resource economics, environmental economics, policy issues, agricultural trade, and economic development.

Regulations

 

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search

Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

 

General Business Resources

BizPaL
This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

Canada Revenue Agency - Business
This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

Small Business BC (SBBC)
SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

• Restaurant Regulations Made Easy In BC https://smallbusinessbc.ca/resource/programs-publications/restaurant-re…

The Province of British Columbia
Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

• In addition to general business licences, the restaurant industry requires specific licences and permits.

 

Industry Specific Information

BC Ministry of Employment, Business & Economic Development: Liquor Control and Licensing Branch

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) oversees liquor and non-medical cannabis regulations. These are the rules and laws that govern B.C.'s private retail sale of liquor and non-medical cannabis. The LCRB also supervises the regulation and licensing of establishments and events including restaurants, bars, and pubs; liquor manufacturers; liquor retail stores; and special events involving liquor. 

BC Ministry of Health: Food Safety and Security 

The BC Ministry of Health imparts information on the importance of food safety in BC, and collects legal resources as well as provincially-mandated health plans and food safety courses. 

• Food Safety Legislation
• Food Safety Provincial Policies
• Food Safety Courses
• Food Safety & Sanitation Plans

Vancouver Coastal Health. Inspection Reports Website

Vancouver Coastal Health collates the most recent health inspection reports for premises requiring public health inspection, including the categories of Food Premises, Personal Services Facilities, Community Care Licensing Residential Care, and Child Care establishments.

Fraser Health Authority. Environmental Health Services

Fraser Health Authority collects information needed for new food businesses, current food business operators, food recalls and safety alerts nationwide, inspection results, food safety at home. They also have information on BC’s FOODSAFE courses, comprehensive food safety courses designed for the food service industry. 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Canadian federal government agency dedicated to safeguarding food, animals and plants in order to enhance the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy.

• Start here: Information for Restaurateurs and Food Service Operators
• Start here: Restaurant and Food Service Inspection in Canada

Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations

The Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations are intended to improve food safety, and are intended for any food business that needs to comply with the food safety regulations and acts listed. The SFCR generally applies to food for human consumption (including ingredients) that is imported, exported, or inter-provincially traded for commercial purposes.

Health Canada

Health Canada is the Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Health Canada is engaged in various activities related to health, including preserving and modernizing Canada's health care system, enhancing and protecting the health of Canadians, and communicating health promotion and disease prevention.

 

Tips on Company Research
 

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Find Competitors

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

 

Free Business Directories

 

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory
CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

 

Federal Corporations Data Online 
Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

 

Frasers
A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

 

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

 

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists
Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

 

Reference Canada
Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Mapping Your Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

 

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

RC Show

RC Show is Canada’s largest food service trade event. Hosted by Restaurants Canada (previously the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association), who put on their first restaurant show in 1945. Includes exhibits, workshops, industry competitions, networking events and keynote speakers.

SIAL Canada

An international food and beverage trade show offering new and innovative food products.

Set Canada 

This sister event to SIAL is an annual trade show dedicated to equipment, technology and service suppliers meeting the needs of food retailers and food-service professionals.

 

You may also want to consider attending or participating in consumer food and cooking events for inspiration or marketing exposure. Eat! Vancouver and Culinaure Victoria are great examples to get started.

 

10Times.com 

The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

 

Find Financial Benchmarks

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

 

Free Tools for Finding Financial Info

EDGAR
Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

 

SEDAR
A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

 

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

 

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)
Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code. To find Food Services and Drinking Places, use NAICS code 722 for all Food Service options. Narrow results down using 722511 (Full-Service Restaurants) or 722512 (Limited-Service Eating Places).

 

 

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business
Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

 

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

 

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Market Share & Size

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Other Library Resources

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Global Full-Service Restaurants Industry: Global Full-Service Restaurants Market to Reach $1. 7 Trillion by 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Full-Service Restaurants estimated at US$1. 2 Trillion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$1.(2021, December 11). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Worldwide Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurant Industry to 2026 - Featuring Ark Restaurants, Carrols Restaurant and Chipotle Mexican Grill Among Others. (2021, October 15). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Canada's Foodservice Industry Recovery Overall Is Steady in August While Dine-In and Full Service Restaurant Performance Softens: Canada's commercial foodservice industry remained on a stable course to recovery in August, reports The NPD Group. (2021, October 5). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Canada food & drink report - Q4 2021. (2021) London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/reports/canada-food-amp-drink-report-q4-2021/docview/2563897892/se-2?accountid=14656 
• Canada food & drink report - Q3 2021. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Barnes Reports: NAICS 722511: Full-Service Restaurants Industry. (2022). United States Full-Service Restaurants Industry Report, 1–196.
• Guido, Z., Knudson, C., & Rhiney, K. (2020). Will COVID-19 be one shock too many for smallholder coffee livelihoods? World Development, 136, N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105172

 

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• eMarketer Editors. (2021, January 24). Food-delivery orders in Canada increased substantially amid pandemic. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Briggs, P. (2022, February 17). Spotlight: Canada Food and Grocery Delivery Apps. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Wolff, R. (2022, March 7). Wendy’s bets big on ghost kitchens. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Toplin, J. (2020, October 15.) Mobile order-ahead and delivery. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Share of Full-Service Restaurant Sales in Canada by Service Type…. https://chart-na1.emarketer.com/253218/share-of-full-service-restaurant-sales-canada-by-service-type-12-months-ending-april-2020-april-2021-of-total
• Share of Quick-Service Restaurant Sales in Canada…. https://chart-na1.emarketer.com/253217/share-of-quick-service-restauran…;

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• (2022) Restaurants - Quarterly Update 2/7/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Restaurants, Bars, and Food Services - Quarterly Update 2/28/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/24/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database. 
• (2022) Casual Restaurants - Quarterly Update 1/17/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection database.
• DellaCamera, Christopher. Full-Service Restaurants in Canada. (2021, September). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72221CA | Accommodation and Food Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Buchko, Matthew. Fast Food Restaurants in Canada. (2021, May). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72221aCA | Accommodation and Food Services  in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, June). Restaurants & Foodservice: Canada. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, February). Restaurants & Foodservice: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2020, May). Food Carryout and Delivery: Special COVID-19 Consumer Insights. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Packaged Facts. (2019, November). Eating Trends: Restaurant Use. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

Demographic Data

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

 

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

• Statistics Canada. Table 11-10-0222-01  Household spending, Canada, regions and provinces

 

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• The Daily- Statistics Canada. Food Services and Drinking Places Sales, January 2022. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220323/dq220323d-eng.ht…;

 

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada
Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats
The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

Your Target Market

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• TIP: Browse by Topic in the Restaurants and Dining category.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

• Goldman, J. (2021, December 15). Podcast listening is driving adoption of food delivery services. eMarketer. Retrieved from eMarketer database. 
• Leading Reasons Adults in Canada Choose Food Delivery Over Pickup or Eating at the Restaurant, June 2021 (% of respondents) https://chart-na1.emarketer.com/253296/leading-reasons-adults-canada-ch…

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Taylor, C. (2020, June 11). COVID-19 Conversations: Morgan Flatley, U.S. Chief Marketing and Digital Customer Experience Officer, McDonald’s. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

 

Public Opinion Polls

Roper Center for Public Opinion
Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

 

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.