Video by Marco Sasso
Multimedia by Justin Lam
By Abby Hughes
The Ritual ONE program has, to some extent, helped increase business for Toronto restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Toronto partnered with online ordering system Ritual in May. The partnership provides access to Ritual’s services with startup and monthly fees waived.
Mayor John Tory announced Ritual ONE would be extended to the end of the year as COVID-19 restrictions continue to pose an economic threat to Toronto businesses. More than 1,200 Toronto businesses have signed up with Ritual since the initial partnership was announced according to a press release.
Black Camel signed up for Ritual ONE in June. Since then, manager Enrique Delgado said the restaurant’s monthly take out orders have increased from 200 to approximately 350 orders.
“We got around 80 orders one of the first days we were on (Ritual),” said Delgado. “So it was a big change for us.”
Meanwhile, 25 per cent of Thirty Six Knots Cafe’s orders are coming from Ritual — a jump from 10 per cent pre-pandemic — according to retail sales consultant Nicolas Masse. But this hasn’t been enough to replace the amount of customers coming into the cafe before the pandemic began.
A similar situation is occurring at ScottHill Caribbean Cuisine. Owner Keith Ebanks said approximately 90 per cent of his restaurant’s digital orders come from Uber Eats.
Services like Uber Eats account for more orders because they deliver food, says Ebanks, whereas Ritual has required customers to pick up their own food. As part of the continuation of the Ritual ONE program announced on October 14, orders placed through Ritual will now include an option for delivery by DoorDash couriers, which may increase the program’s helpfulness.
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According to Ebanks, the exposure food delivery apps like Uber Eats and Doordash provide through their large user base are helpful — but the commissions, which are usually close to 30 per cent, are too high.
“I mean, we don’t even make that kid of margin on the food, right?” he said.
Restaurants Canada estimates 33,000 jobs in Toronto will be lost due to the recent lockdowns.
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