# Upscale Prototype Restaurants 'Earls.67' Helps Earls Experiment with Layouts, Menus and More By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-07-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earls67 References: [marketingmag](http://www.marketingmag.ca/brands/earls-opens-the-doors-to-prototype-restaurant-179344?rss=yes) & [earls67](https://earls67.ca/) Earls is an [upscale casual dining restaurant chain](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aloette-bay) that's now using a prototype restaurant in Calgary called 'Earls.67' in order to test out the many ways it might enhance the restaurant experience. A few of the experiments that are ongoing at Earls.67 include conscious sourcing, a minimum 16% hospitality charge that replaces tipping, plus a [build-your-own meal menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/craveworthy-menu). Items on the menu are served in smaller portions that allow patrons to sample both healthy and indulgent offerings in a guilt-free format. Menu items are also clearly marked with terms like Gluten Aware, Vegetarian and Ocean Friend, a term that means an item has been recommended by the Vancouver Aquarium. The size of this Vancouver-based chain has always prevented it from testing out new ideas quickly, but this prototype restaurant makes it possible for action to be taken at a much more rapid pace. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Prototype Restaurants:** Restaurant chains are utilizing prototype restaurants to test out various enhancements for the customer experience. - **Conscious Sourcing:** More restaurants are adopting conscious sourcing to provide customers with ethical and sustainable food options. - **Build-your-own Meal Menus:** Restaurants are experimenting with build-your-own meal menus to provide customers with personalized dining experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Casual Dining:** Casual dining restaurants are using prototype restaurants to experiment with new enhancements for customer experiences. - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry is seeing a shift towards conscious sourcing and ethical food options for customers. - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry is experimenting with personalized dining experiences through build-your-own meal menus. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digitally Focused Prototype Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prototype-restaurants.md) - [Toronto Flagship Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toronto-flagship-restaurants-earls-yorkdale-set-to-open-april-21st-with-exc.md) - [Casual Fine Dining Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fastfine-prototype.md) - [Customizable Middle-Eastern Dining Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/east-tea-can-express.md) - [Evolutionary Toronto Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-drake-hotel.md) - [Digital-Oriented Restaurant Redesigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-next-gen.md) - [Modular Dining Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/11-x-17.md) - [Canadian Restaurant Rebrandings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chopped-leaf.md) - [Asian-Fusion Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lobby-bar.md)