Majority of Canadians would rather eat at home than a restaurant: Andrew Coppolino

A recent survey reveals that about 57 per centof Canadians said they prefer to eat at home rather than visit a restaurant.

The survey was administered byAndie.work, the developers of a smartphone app that launched in Junewhich allows users to see how busy a restaurant is, to check user-generated reviews of safety protocols and to add their own ratings.

The app currently has 3,500 users.

"Dining Defender" has recently been added to the app, a function that covers eight "key touch points of concern" for diners to rate: guest PPE, physical distancing, safety-rules enforcement, availability of hand sanitizers, staff cleanliness, food preparation, utensils, and restrooms.

TheAndie.workGoogle survey results were generated from about 1,000 responses to 11 questions they asked random Canadians thatfocusedon safety concerns during the pandemic, which might prevent them from visiting a restaurant.

The survey gives some insight into what restaurants may encounter later this fall, in terms of the comfort-level of customers as patios close and dining-room seating is the only option for eating at a restaurant.

"Based on the survey findings, we acknowledge that Canadians are rightfully concerned about catching Covid-19 while dining out," said Dan Snow, chief marketing officer forAndie.work.

In the survey, 32 per centof Canadians indicated that they were most concerned about contracting Covid-19 from fellow diners, but only about 10 per centwere concerned about getting the coronavirus from waitstaff.

"Where staff have required procedures and standards to adhere to, diners do not," said Snow. "Some Canadians do not even feel a mask is necessary, so fellow patrons are more likely to be 'wild cards' than staff."

Menmore comfortable with indoor dining

The survey revealed there could be significant differences between genders: for instance, 65 per centof men in Ontario stated that they were comfortable eating in a restaurant dining room compared with only 35 per centof women.

As for patios, 60 per centof men in Ontario said they were comfortable with patio dining to only 40 per centof women.

When it came to buffet-style restaurants, survey findings showed that nearly 70 per centof men in Ontario felt buffet dining was the safest mode of eating at a restaurant compared to only 28 per centof women.

That might seem counter-intuitive, given the difficulty of physical distancing at the buffet; however, Snow accounted for the results saying it could be a belief that using sanitized self-service areas while wearing a mask at a buffet is safer than repeated interactions with waitstaff who have possibly served hundreds of other guests, especially at larger restaurants.

Local restaurants say people prefer outdoors

How do these survey results align with what local restaurateurs are seeing?Jill Sadler of Swine & Vine in Kitchener says the majority of her customers still want outdoor seating, similar to survey respondents.

"I would say that's about 75 per cent. Although in the last couple of weeks, guests seemed more comfortable with being inside," Sadler said.

At Proof Kitchen and Lounge in Waterloo, general manager LauraUmbrioestimates a high percentage want to be outdoors.

"Up until last week when the weather cooled, 90 per centof our guests chose to sit outside," saidUmbrio.

While he sees an older demographic preferring the patio at Graffiti Market, near Kitchener's Belmont Village, Ryan Lloyd-Craig says weather is a definite determinant.

"During off-peak days and good weather days, we are 70-to-30 outdoor-to-indoor. In the evenings, when the temperature drops, it's reversed," he said.

Like many factors in the restaurant industry, customerbehaviouris difficult to anticipate. Court Desautels operates Borealis Grille & Bar in Kitchener and Guelph, along with other restaurants.

He says, with a qualification, thatoverallthe preference at his restaurants is "by far" for outdoor dining, although a younger demographic don't seem to have an issue with being indoors.

"But it's really a mixed bag of who will sit inside," Desautels added.

For Moose Winooski's in Kitchener, the day often determines where people want to sit, according to Bill Siegfried, vice-president of operations for Charcoal Legacy Group.

"But for sure, the vast majority prefer patio to inside. We still have families and sports fans visiting us, but we are seeing more young couples now," Siegfried said.

Psychology may play a role, with customers apparently second-guessing their decision tovisit.Umbriopoints out that they have had 25 per centmore cancellations and no-shows than pre-Covid.

"It isn't tied to weather patterns," she said. "Often, we will confirm and then the table no-shows. Or we will see the online reservations made the night before then cancelled the same day," she said.

While restaurant operators are relatively satisfied with their current patio-driven customer base, cooler fall weather and how customers will react is a concern; however, Sadler at Swine & Vine hopes that as guest confidence builds, the trend will shift away from what the survey has recorded.

"With guests seeming to be getting more comfortable with being inside, it gives me a glimmer of hope for when the weather turns."