FRONTLINES New Support Program For Food Service Industry, Plus Cash Prizes For Diners And Restaurant Owners Eat. Drink. Win. That is the prevailing theme of a local initiative launched by the Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce (WECC), Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) and presenting sponsor CUPE 543. #DineYQG will support locally owned restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, take and bakes, wineries, breweries and distillers, at a time when their businesses have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Although most local restaurants remain open for takeout, delivery or curbside orders, no in-person dining is allowed under the provincial guidelines in the “Grey Lockdown” level. According to the latest survey from Restaurants Canada, eight out of 10 restaurants are either losing money, or barely scraping by; 65% are continuing to operate at a loss while 19% are just breaking even. While other industries have recovered at least 90% of their pandemic job losses, 21% of the food service workforce has still not recovered, and there are more than
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260,000 fewer jobs in the food service sector across the country than there were last February. Locally, one in six restaurants are likely to close permanently, a number likely to increase based on the duration of the lockdown. The sector has seen a 35% reduction in employment from September to December of last year, a decrease of 3,600 jobs. Diners can visit: DineYQG.ca for menus, specials, hours, and delivery info for their favourite local eateries. As well, by submitting a photo of a receipt, a picture at the restaurant, or of an actual food delivery, diners can enter a contest to win weekly cash prizes of $100. Not only will the diner win money, but the restaurant they supported will also immediately win $1,000 — money to be used at their discretion. There is $11,000 in cash prizes available from February 1 through April 10, 2021. Bonus entries are available for sharing on social media, using #DineYQG. Local restaurants can submit a free listing on the #DineYQG website, with their contact information, hours, menus, specials, payment
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options and delivery partners. There are currently over 400 listings in the Restaurant Guide, categorized by food type and geographic region. #DineYQG marketing tools can be accessed through the website and downloaded for free, allowing eateries to use on-premises and in their advertising campaigns. Restaurants can benefit from various support programs too. The first 35 eligible eateries to apply will receive a complimentary 12 month WindsorEssex Chamber of Commerce membership ($750 value) courtesy of CUPE 543; a oneyear membership to the Ontario Restaurant Hotel Motel Association (ORHMA) of Windsor Essex as well as no-charge business and personal banking and financial coaching services from Libro Credit Union. Plus, one lucky restaurant will win a $500 gift card from Gordon Food Service. The application form can be found at: WindsorEssexChamber.org. The program is an extension of the successful #ShopYQG campaign launched by the Chamber and TWEPI in spring 2020, as encouragement to “Shop Local” not just during the pandemic, but also in the future. To receive more information on the #DineYQG initiative, contact WECC President and CEO Rakesh Naidu by emailing: rnaidu@windsoressexchamber.org.
