How to get more customers for a restaurant in Saskatoon or Regina

Saskatoon and Regina are the two largest cities in Saskatchewan, and both are places where people know their neighbours. A restaurant that treats its regulars well can build a loyal base, but a few local rules and a long winter shape the way you price, staff and promote. This page covers the points that matter most for a new or established business.

What does tax mean for your menu?

Saskatchewan charges provincial sales tax on restaurant meals on top of the federal GST. Reports give the rates as 5% GST and 6% PST, for 11% in total on a food-only meal. Menu prices in Canada are shown before tax, so guests see a higher total than the menu suggests, and a bill with alcohol may show different lines. Make sure your till is set for both taxes, and explain the lines to guests who ask. Confirm the current rates with the Saskatchewan government and the Canada Revenue Agency.

What is the minimum wage in Saskatchewan?

The province indexes its minimum wage each year, using a formula that gives equal weight to national inflation and to Saskatchewan's average hourly wage, so check the current rate with the province before you set pay. When the rate rises, update your payroll, your pay scale and your menu costing. If you employ students or new arrivals at the minimum, remember that a rise at the bottom narrows the gap to your trained staff.

What training does your team need?

Serve It Right Saskatchewan is the province's server intervention training, and its own page says that everyone involved in the sale and service of alcohol must complete it. The certificate lasts five years, and certificates from other provinces issued within the past five years can be transferred. Keep a tracker with every employee's expiry date, and schedule only certified people on bar shifts.

Who are your guests?

Both cities have universities, large public-sector employers, hospitals and a growing number of newcomers. Weekday lunch and early dinner are the heart of the trade, with families and groups filling weekends. A short lunch menu with a clear price and a fast turnaround serves the workday crowd. A booked set menu or shared platter suits groups and celebrations. A menu that names the dishes it is known for helps newcomers who do not yet know the city.

What local food can you use?

The Prairies have a food identity of their own. The saskatoon berry, a native fruit, gives the province a dessert that appears on many menus, and Wikipedia describes saskatoon berry pie as a traditional Canadian dessert, particularly in Saskatchewan. Other local foods include lentils, pulses, grains, beef, bison and freshwater fish. A seasonal dish that names its farm or producer builds trust with guests who want to know where their food comes from. Check what is in season, and ask suppliers what they expect to have.

How do you plan for winter?

Saskatchewan winters are long and cold. Guests go out less, but they go out for a reason. Think about:

1. Warm food that travels well, so that takeout holds its heat.
2. A weeknight set menu at a clear price.
3. Group bookings for office parties, clubs and family gatherings.
4. Gift cards, promoted in the autumn for the holidays.
5. A storm plan for staff and bookings.

How do you stand out among similar restaurants?

In a smaller city, word of mouth moves quickly, and so does a bad review. Respond to every review, good or bad. Keep your hours accurate on your door and online. Choose one dish that you are proud of and make sure it is the same each time. Ask regulars to mention it by name.

How do you reach newcomers and students?

Put your menu, hours and photographs online, and make sure your page is correct on maps. Offer a student or newcomer welcome, such as a set meal on a weeknight. Have a way to take bookings that does not require a long phone call.

Are you wondering how to turn a good dish into a name the whole city knows?

In a city of this size, one dish that everyone recommends can carry a restaurant. Mosey is a food discovery app where diners rate the dishes they ate and search by what they want to eat, which helps a standout plate be found by name. Nobody can pay to outrank you there, because Mosey Gold is earned from ratings alone.

More guides for your business:

• Are Canadians eating out less in 2026, and what brings them back?
• Canada Summer Jobs: can a restaurant get a wage subsidy for hiring young people?
• What Canada's counter-tariffs mean for restaurant food and packaging costs in 2026

More in the Canadian guides for food businesses.