Zata Blog

We all know that Hockey Playoffs are good for the restaurant industry, but Zata has actually measured the impact on local restaurants and bars. Zata compared the performance of 25 restaurants in Vancouver on nights where there was no hockey to nights when the Canucks had a playoff game. The results are posted in the graph below.

Click on graph to enlarge

“The Vancouver Canucks not only drive our hearts, but they are also driving the wallet of the consumer, and that is great for our industry” says Ian Tostenson, President and CEO of the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “We thank the Canucks for their commitment, because their success is directly linked to the incremental success of the restaurant industry”.

The Canucks are also pleased with the results of the study. “We’re thrilled to see the positive impact Canucks playoff games are having on the restaurant industry. Clearly, the playoffs are a very special time throughout British Columbia when the province comes together to share its common passion for the Canucks.” said Chris Zimmerman, President and CEO, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment.

There are some great takeaways for restaurant and bar owners in this study. By adding larger television sets and even specials that entice hockey fans to leave their couches and head for a local restaurant or pub, restaurant owners can drive their sales and give their customers a better experience at the same time. Cheering on your team is always better with two hundred other cheering fans in your favorite watering hole.

I was personally surprised at the impact that quick service restaurants and cafés received from the playoffs. While I expected to see the lift in full service restaurants and bars, I did not expect to see it in the quick service and cafe category.

Clearly,every restaurant and bar owner in BC should be chanting “Go Canucks Go!”

-Brad Brooks