Allergy Awareness: A Key to Customer Loyalty for Canadian Restaurants

13th November 2024 By The Global Heroes Health

For Canadians with food allergies, navigating safe dining options is a constant concern, and new research from Food Allergy Canada underscores how significantly allergen management influences dining choices. An impressive 80% of people with food allergies and 44% of those without allergies say that a restaurant’s approach to allergen safety affects where they choose to eat, especially when dining with others.

This shift in consumer preferences presents a major opportunity for Canadian restaurants to attract and retain a loyal customer base by prioritizing allergy awareness. Jennifer Gerdts, Executive Director of Food Allergy Canada, points out, “Over three million Canadians are impacted by food allergies, with these households spending an estimated $6.5 billion annually on dining out. Allergy-aware restaurants stand to benefit from this considerable, underserved market.”

Findings from the Recipe for Success report, which surveyed 1,500 Canadians, reveal that food-allergic diners tend to be more loyal and less sensitive to price than others, with 86% of food-allergic consumers reporting that they regularly return to establishments they trust, even when dining with non-allergic friends. This preference places allergy-conscious restaurants at the center of group dining decisions, as the needs of one food-allergic customer can influence an entire party’s choice of where to eat.

Additionally, while 65% of non-allergic consumers cite price as the main factor limiting dining out, only 39% of food-allergic diners feel the same. Safety remains the top priority for food-allergic consumers, who are willing to spend more at establishments that offer allergen-safe options, fostering a sense of trust and repeat visits.

Food Allergy Canada’s Think Food Allergy resources make it simple for restaurants to implement allergen management practices, from staff training to practical tools for creating safer dining experiences. Establishments ready to embrace allergy awareness can access these resources, including training videos and toolkits, at ThinkFoodAllergy.ca.

With the holidays approaching - a peak time for dining and gatherings - Food Allergy Canada offers additional advice for those managing food allergies:

Plan Ahead: Contact restaurants before the event to discuss allergen concerns.

Choose Trusted Restaurants: Opt for establishments with a track record of accommodating food allergies.

Communicate Clearly: Let staff know about your allergies, and consider using a card listing specific allergens for added clarity during busy service times.

As the demand for allergy-safe dining rises, restaurants that prioritize allergen safety can gain a competitive edge and build long-lasting customer loyalty.