Sarnia-Lambton's accommodation and food service industry has grown by about 12 per cent over the past few years.
Chamber of Commerce CEO Carrie McEachran said the local figures are somewhat surprising.
"According to Canadian Business Counts, there were around 562 restaurants, food service businesses in Sarnia-Lambton in 2021 and 2022 respectively," said McEachran. "There were some food industries that were started during COVID, doing some catering from their homes, increased in different charcuterie board businesses starting up locally. So, somewhat surprising but somewhat not."
The latest data comes despite Restaurants Canada reporting that the pace of restaurant closings in Canada accelerated in 2022. In Ontario, 1,526 restaurants opened up last year, compared to 3,246 that closed.
McEachran said the first challenge local restaurants are facing is staffing issues.
"Issues around retention and recruitment of staff. And this causes low productivity, longer wait times for customers, and in some of the cases we've seen locally is the shortening of business hours."
McEachran added that the rising cost of food and utilities is making it really difficult for restaurants to earn profits. She said there are some resources for those in the industry.
"Local resources are the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, who do offer excellent one-on-one support and resources for business, as well as the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership."
As for national resources, McEachran said the federal government and Restaurants Canada have some great innovative tools.
McEachran said for residents, it's so important, now more than ever before, to really promote and support local restaurants.
"A lot of those jobs, a lot of our local youth, start their careers in local restaurants here."
McEachran said by eating local, it also supports local agriculture.
With files from Natalia Vega