Category: Discussion Papers and Case Studies

Podcast Series: The C-word

As this year’s UGSRP intern, I decided I wanted to explore the social aspect of sustainability, and focused on the industry’s culture and the expectations it has of recent grads and soon-to-be grads. As a fifth year student with experience in the food and beverage industry, I wanted to find out if what my peers … Continue reading Podcast Series: The C-word

A&W, A Leader in the Quick Service Restaurant Industry

A&W is Canada's second largest quick service restaurant (QSR) burger chain. This study looks into A&W's business practices and ability to maintain and develop the business around changing consumer preferences. More specifically, A&W looked at millennials and used this generation to reposition and differentiate themselves towards a market that is changing the ways of the … Continue reading A&W, A Leader in the Quick Service Restaurant Industry

Are we scaring students away?

This past semester, two students (Matthew Acevedo and Lindsay Barron) undertook a project to evaluate hospitality student perceptions of their industry as employer.  They surveyed students from across Canada.  Their report is linked. Executive Summary Report Detailed question by question responses for the entire survey are also available. While  overall hospitality students retain a passion … Continue reading Are we scaring students away?

“Topics in Sustainability” from 3 great speakers!

Last night, the University of Guelph Sustainable Restaurant Project (UGSRP) held their 2nd Annual UGSRP Forum: “Topics in Sustainability”.  Much like their successful panel discussion last October, this year’s line up of speakers did not disappoint.  For those that were in attendance, they will probably agree the evening was both informative, thought provoking and inspirational. … Continue reading “Topics in Sustainability” from 3 great speakers!

Sustainability and Innovation in Canadian Food Service: Extended Survey Results

In addition to the previous post titled "Sustainability and Innovation Survey: The following document is the complete responses to the Canadian Food Service Industry's "Sustainability and Innovation" survey in comparison with the results from the MIT Sloan Management Review 2010 Sustainability and Innovation Global Executive Study and Research Project results where applicable. Sustainability and Innovation … Continue reading Sustainability and Innovation in Canadian Food Service: Extended Survey Results

The Tipping Point – Is There a Fair Share?

There has been considerable discussion around the ownership of gratuities left in restaurants.  Recently, two high profile media stories reported servers complaining about having to pay the house a share of their tips.  There is also a Private Member’s Bill in Ontario that would forbid restaurants from taking any share of tips from servers. The … Continue reading The Tipping Point – Is There a Fair Share?

What you learn scraping plates

  As part of the University of Guelph sustainable restaurant project (UGSRP), we are looking at plate waste in restaurants.  We have just started and this is definitely going to be much more interesting than I expected.  We will be gathering data in PJ’s, our student learning restaurant, over the next two semesters. While reducing … Continue reading What you learn scraping plates