Industry guide
Promotional products for hospitality, food and beverage in the GTA
What hospitality, food & beverage organisations buy, the occasions that call for branded merchandise, who approves it, and when to order.
Updated September 30, 2026
Why these organisations use branded merchandise
Hospitality brands buy promotional products both for operations and for revenue. Staff uniforms, aprons and caps are ongoing needs, and taprooms, distilleries and landmark venues sell branded glassware and apparel as retail merchandise. Restaurant franchisors order grand-opening kits, franchisee welcome packs and loyalty giveaways at every new location.
Craft breweries, distilleries & wineries
- Popular items
- Branded pint glasses and tasting glassware, Taproom retail apparel (tees, hoodies, caps), Toques and beanies, Bottle openers and coasters, Growler and can koozies, Staff aprons and shirts, Festival booth giveaways
- Typical occasions
- New beer or spirit launches, Taproom events (Oktoberfest, anniversary, beer week), Beer festivals and trade tastings, Holiday gift-shop season, Collaboration releases
- Who usually orders
- Owner / Co-founder, General Manager, Marketing / Content Marketing Manager, Art Director, Retail/Taproom Manager
- When to order
- Summer patio and festival season (May to September) and holiday retail (October to December) are the peaks.
Restaurant groups & franchisors
- Popular items
- Staff uniforms (tees, aprons, caps), Grand-opening giveaways, Franchisee welcome kits, Loyalty and gift-card premiums, Branded merchandise for online merch stores, Delivery bags and packaging accessories
- Typical occasions
- New location openings, Brand anniversaries, Menu and campaign launches, Franchisee conferences, Community and charity events
- Who usually orders
- CEO / President (family- or founder-led groups), Director of Marketing / Brand Manager, Franchise Development Director, VP Operations, Procurement/Purchasing Manager
- When to order
- Openings and campaigns run all year. Uniform refreshes often land in Q1, and anniversary or holiday campaigns in Q4.
Hotels & venues
- Popular items
- Staff uniforms and name badges, Guest amenities and in-room branded items, Gift-shop merchandise (tees, mugs, ornaments), Wedding and event favours, Corporate client gifts, Branded robes and totes
- Typical occasions
- Seasonal events (Halloween, holiday markets), Gift-shop restocks, Corporate event packages, Property anniversaries or reopenings, Staff recognition
- Who usually orders
- Director of Marketing / Creative Director, Director of Sales & Catering, General Manager, Retail/Gift Shop Manager
- When to order
- Holiday and year-end corporate events (October to December) and summer wedding season drive most orders.
Catering & event hospitality
- Popular items
- Chef coats and aprons, Server uniforms, Branded packaging and labels, Corporate gift boxes, Client appreciation gifts, Event staff name badges
- Typical occasions
- Holiday corporate party season, Wedding season, Uniform replacement, Client gifting at year-end, New venue partnerships
- Who usually orders
- Managing Partner / Owner, VP of Events, Senior Catering & Event Planner, Executive Chef
- When to order
- Busiest in November and December (holiday parties) and May to September (weddings), with uniform orders ahead of each peak.