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Food & Drink

Bakery Guide

The Canadian bakery industry involves the on-site manufacturing of baked products. There are two types of bakeries: retail and commercial. Retail bakeries manufacture a wide range of baked products including bagels, bread, cakes, croissants, doughnuts, pastries, and more. Products are purchased by retail customers for consumption off-site. Commercial bakeries manufacture a similar range of baked products. In addition, commercial bakeries also manufacturing frozen baked products.

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Bar and Nightclub Guide

Businesses in this industry are focused on selling alcoholic drinks for consumption on-premises, and may also offer food. Bars and nightclubs often host live events such as musical performances, dance spaces, and/or comedy nights.

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Beer and Breweries Guide

According to Beer Canada, beer continues to have a substantial impact on Canada’s economy. Conference Board of Canada figures show beer supports 149,000 Canadian jobs, with a labour income of $5.3 billion while contributing $13.6 billion to Canada’s GDP. This impact is due in large part to the domestic nature of Canada’s beer industry. In 2020, 85% of the beer consumed in Canada was brewed in Canada. These smaller, local and independent operations fall under the umbrella of craft breweries or microbreweries, and they receive a special emphasis in this guide. This guide should also appeal to those interested in brewpubs and/or taprooms, as well as to beer wholesalers and retailers. It further includes information on the emerging cider market, reflecting both the emergence of cider as a popular alcohol option and the strength of British Columbia's craft alcohol scene overall.

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Catering Guide

Caterers are primarily engaged in providing food and drink services for various events, such as weddings, corporate functions, parties and trade shows. Depending on the size of the company, some catering businesses not only prepare the food, but also take care of elements such as event decorations and lighting.

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Coffee Manufacturing Guide

Coffee manufacturing is the process of converting the raw coffee fruit into finished coffee. It involves everything from the growing and picking of the raw coffee fruit to roasting and distributing the finished coffee product- whether roasted whole beans, single-serve cups, or ground coffee.

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Coffee Shops Guide

The Coffee Shops Industry is part of the specialty eatery industry. Coffee shops usually sell specialty hot and cold drinks; some may also sell pastries and bakery products, specialty coffee equipment for the home roaster and coffee brewer, or bags of their own roasted coffee beans if the shop is a combination storefront and specialty roaster. 

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Confectionery Guide

Confectionery can include sweets, candy and chocolate among other items to satisfy one's sweet tooth. Business owners within this industry can work with a single product like chocolate or offer a wide variety of products. Businesses can work with retailers to offer their products, sell online or through a shop or work with event planners catering to specific events.

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Grocery Store Guide

Grocery stores exist in many shapes and forms. Both big cities and small communities have a need for basic grocery products, and many family grocers have had long-term success across BC. Running a grocery store requires good planning - inventory, pricing, marketing and employee management are all critical factors to success in this industry.

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Liquor and Distilleries Guide

According to Canadian Industry Statistics, this industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in distilling liquor, except brandy; blending liquor; or blending and mixing liquor and other ingredients. In 2020, there were 277 such operations across Canada, with 96% of them employing 100 employees or less. The average revenue for the industry’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in 2020 was $706,200, with just under 50 per cent reporting profitability.

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Restaurant Guide

A restaurant is an establishment that prepares and serves food and drink to customers for immediate consumption. The restaurant category includes both full service restaurants, where customers generally dine on the premises and are served by wait staff, and limited service restaurants, where food is generally ordered and paid for before consumption. Restaurants can be independently owned and operated, or part of a restaurant chain or franchise.

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