Restaurant ordering in Winnipeg: what the numbers say
Winnipeg grew 6.3% between 2016 and 2021, faster than the national average of 5.2%. Growth like that brings new customers every year, so it pays to collect their contact details with each direct order and build a list you own.
Winnipeg has about 1,623 people per km², which is typical of a busy suburban city. Most customers will drive or have food delivered, so a radius of a few kilometres with distance-based fees is a good starting point.
Delivery zones across Winnipeg
You can draw separate zones and fees for the parts of Winnipeg you serve. Restaurants here often think in terms of areas like these:
- The Exchange District
- Osborne Village
- Corydon (Little Italy)
- St. Boniface
- The Forks
- Wolseley
- West End
- Chinatown
- Transcona
Local facts for Winnipeg restaurants
The Forks sits where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet, and its market hall is a year-round food destination.
St. Boniface, across the Red River, is described by Tourism Winnipeg as Western Canada’s largest francophone community.
Manitoba charges its 7% retail sales tax on restaurant meals on top of the 5% GST.
Sources: The Forks; Tourism Winnipeg; Manitoba Finance.
Nearby cities you can reach
Winnipeg is a regional centre. The nearest large municipality is Regina (535 km), so most of your orders will come from within Winnipeg and the communities around it.
Sales tax on online orders in Manitoba
Restaurant meals in Manitoba carry the 5% GST plus Manitoba’s 7% retail sales tax (RST).
Chefzi shows tax on the checkout and receipt using the rates you set. Rates can change, so confirm them with the Canada Revenue Agency or your accountant.
Language
English is the main language of business. St. Boniface in Winnipeg is a historic francophone neighbourhood.
One system for Winnipeg restaurants
- Online ordering on your own site with no commission per order; guests order in the browser, with no app to download.
- POS and kitchen display, so online orders are never retyped.
- Table reservations and a loyalty program.
- Delivery by your own staff or by Uber Eats and DoorDash couriers.
- A staff order-taking app on Google Play (App Store coming soon).
- Card payments go straight to your restaurant. Menu setup and onboarding are free, plans are month-to-month, and pricing is $17 or $35 CAD a month. See pricing.
Manitoba and Winnipeg rules for restaurants taking online orders
- RST on meals: prepared food and drinks sold by restaurants, take-out and home-delivery outlets, food trucks and caterers are subject to Manitoba RST (Manitoba Finance, RST Bulletin 029, food and beverages). The expanded food and beverage exemption does not cover restaurant sales, including phone or online orders for delivery or pickup (Manitoba Finance, notice on the expanded food and beverage exemption). The rates are 5% GST plus 7% RST (Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST and PST rates).
- Food handling permit: register your establishment and get a permit from your public health inspector before you operate. Food service permits expire on March 31 each year, cannot be transferred, and must be posted where people can see them (Manitoba Food and Food Handling Establishments Regulation, M.R. 339/88 R; Manitoba Health, food handling permits).
- Certified Food Handler (Winnipeg by-law): the person in charge must have completed Certified Food Handler Training. With more than 5 food handlers working at one time, a certified person must be on duty at all times (Manitoba, Certified Food Handler Training).
How Chefzi works for Winnipeg restaurants
Pricing is a flat monthly fee: see plans in CAD. Moving from GloriaFood? Read our GloriaFood migration guide.
- Your own ordering page and app, with your name and menu, and no commission per order.
- Delivery, pickup and table ordering from one menu.
- Orders go to a tablet or printer in your kitchen.
- Customer list and offers you control, for repeat orders.
- Card payments paid out to your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How does tax show on Manitoba orders?
You enter your GST and Manitoba RST settings once, and Chefzi shows the tax on every receipt. Check your rates with your accountant or the CRA and Manitoba Finance.
Does Chefzi take commission on orders in Winnipeg?
No. Chefzi charges a flat monthly fee. Card processing fees still apply to card payments, as with any payment provider.
Do online pickup and delivery orders carry RST in Manitoba?
Yes. Restaurant sales stay taxable, including phone or online orders for delivery or pickup (Manitoba Finance).
When does a Manitoba food service permit expire?
On March 31 each year (M.R. 339/88 R, s. 3(2)).
Who needs Certified Food Handler Training in Winnipeg?
The person in charge. With more than 5 food handlers working at one time, a certified person must be on duty at all times (Province of Manitoba).
Do my customers need to download an app?
No. Customers order on your website, in the browser. The Chefzi app on Google Play is for your staff to take orders.
Is there a setup fee in Winnipeg?
No. Menu setup and onboarding are free, and plans are month-to-month: $17 CAD (Cash and pickup) or $35 CAD (Card payments) a month.