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B.C. Restaurants see boost from Canada-US Championship Game

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:55 PST, Tue February 25, 2025

Today, the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservice Association (BCRFA) is celebrating news that many member businesses experienced a significant sales bump during last Thursday's 4 Nations Faceoff championship game between Canada and the United States.

"Thursday was a big day for both Team Canada and BC restaurants," said BCRFA president and chief executive officer Ian Tostenson. "Members were texting me from across the province telling me just how much of a successful night it was for their restaurants."

Tostenson reported that on the night of the game, establishments with televisions saw sales increases of 10 per cent to 60 per cent with the largest spikes being found in suburban restaurants.

"Moments like these demonstrate how restaurants continue to be the heart and soul of communities across the province," continued Tostenson. "At a time when many people are looking for third spaces to connect with their neighbours, we're glad to see restaurants stepping in to fill that demand."

Tostenson was quick to warn that despite last Thursday's success, many local establishments are still only hanging on by a thread, encouraging customers and governments to take action.

"Too many restaurants have closed and too many are just barely hanging on. We can't lose more of these spaces," continued Tostenson. "Permanent dining programs, speeding up approvals, and improving access to skilled labour are just a few of the steps government can take to make a difference right now."

Local restaurateurs echoed Tostenson's comments, calling on British Columbians to support local restaurants.

"There lots of are relatively straightforward steps that governments can take to make life easier for restaurants and those who rely on them," said Kelly Gordon, owner and operator of Romer's Burger Bar. "Rather than seeing more headlines about restaurant closures, I hope we start to see more elected officials committing to taking action. Everyone has a role to play in making sure our local restaurants survive."

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