Company Description – Founded in 1988 in Alfred, Ontario, Restaurant Le Chardo is a well-established family-run business with deep roots in the local community. Located along the corridor between Ottawa and Montreal, the restaurant has served as a trusted dining destination for more than three decades, welcoming both local residents and travellers with its generous portions, bilingual service, and relaxed diner-style atmosphere. In June 2025, the business expanded by relaunching as an inn, becoming a full-service hospitality destination offering dining, lodging, and event spaces for meetings, celebrations, and group gatherings.

Project Description – As Le Chardo expanded into lodging, its operations continued to rely heavily on paper-based processes and fragmented digital tools. Reservations, check-ins, and guest information were managed through physical binders, while restaurant and lodging operations operated separately. These processes were time-consuming, prone to errors, and limited the business’s ability to efficiently manage guest services and use operational data. Through the Retail Modernization Project Grant, Le Chardo implemented a centralized property management system, upgraded its computer hardware, and expanded its security camera infrastructure. The property management system unified reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, billing, and reporting across the restaurant and inn, replacing manual processes with real-time digital workflows. Additional surveillance cameras were also installed throughout key areas of the property, including entrances, dining spaces, and lodging facilities.

Project Impact and Potential Outcomes – The transition to digital systems has increased productivity by approximately 50%, reduced administrative costs by 50 per cent and saved approximately 20 labour hours per month. Replacing paper-based processes has reduced errors and streamlined daily operations, allowing staff to manage reservations and guest services more efficiently. Since implementation, the business has also reported an average increase of one additional customer per day, contributing to an estimated $10,000 in annual revenue growth.

The expanded surveillance system has strengthened security and operational oversight across the property, providing improved visibility and helping deter theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Together, the technology upgrades have provided Le Chardo with a stronger foundation for managing its expanded hospitality operations.

The inn expansion and digital modernization have also strengthened Le Chardo’s contribution to the local economy by attracting overnight visitors, encouraging longer stays, and supporting spending at nearby businesses. By integrating dining, lodging, and event services, the business has created new revenue opportunities while supporting local employment and regional tourism. Overall, the project has modernized Le Chardo’s operations while preserving the personalized service and community connection that have defined the business for more than three decades.