Using AI to Craft Restaurant Slogans in Canada

A great slogan can capture what makes your restaurant special in just a few words. It sets the mood before a single plate hits the table and stays with guests long after they’ve left.

Think of how McDonald’s “I’m lovin’ it” and Subway’s “Eat Fresh” have become part of everyday language. These lines don’t just describe food — they capture a feeling.

With today’s AI tools, you can channel that same magic into your own brand. By combining your story, guest feedback, and a few smart prompts, you can generate hundreds of ideas — and refine them down to one slogan that truly sticks.

Step-by-Step Workflow

Define Your Brand Edge (10 Minutes)

Feed an AI assistant (e.g. ChatGPT or Claude) a short brief: cuisine, vibe, signature items, price point, neighbourhood, top guest compliments or complaints, and any words to avoid. 

Other helpful context pieces from On the Line include our Restaurant Marketing Plan and this article on How to Brand a Restaurant in Canada.

Generate 50–100 Slogan Options With AI (15 Minutes)

Try prompts like: “Write 25 short slogan ideas for a cozy Italian grill in Moncton known for wood-fired pizzas and upbeat service — skip words like ‘authentic’ or ‘best.’” Or, “Give me versions that focus on speed (‘out in 30’), indulgence (desserts), or community (neighbourhood nights).” Once you’ve got a list, ask the AI to rate each one for clarity, originality, tone, and how well it would work on a menu or T-shirt.

Below are some examples of slogans from global and more local brands to spark inspiration.

Global standouts:

• “Have It Your Way.” – Burger King

• “Good Mood Food.” – Arby’s

• “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” – Papa John’s

Canadian icons:

• “Always Fresh.” – Tim Hortons

• “Your Burger. Your Way.” – Harvey’s

• “We Speak Fish.” – Joey’s Seafood

Stress-Test for Value Clarity (10 Minutes)

Since Canadians are careful about value, make sure your slogan promises quality without sounding like a discount. Try lines like “Big Taste, No Fuss” or “Slow-Cooked, Quick Smiles.” They feel good-value without feeling cheap — an important balance when price still drives most dining decisions.

Make It Bilingual-Ready (Especially for Québec) (10 Minutes)

Draft French equivalents early so cadence and length stay printable. If the slogan is also your trademark, know that Québec's updated language rules (Bill 96) tighten when and how non-French trademarks may appear on signage; French must generally be markedly predominant unless specific trademark conditions are met. 

If you plan to register the slogan as a trademark, see CIPO’s guidance on what can be registered (slogans and taglines included) and how protection works.

Legal and Ethical Checks (Canada) (10 Minutes)

Your slogan must be truthful and not misleading. It can't overpromise. Review the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards and the Competition Act guidance on false or misleading claims from the Competition Bureau. If you make environmental or aspirational claims like "zero-waste dining," ensure you can substantiate them because recent guidance highlights proof requirements.

Place It Everywhere Guests Look (20 Minutes)

Use your POS and printed surfaces so guests actually see and repeat the line. Put it on menus and check presenters since printed beats digital for most Canadians, and ensure legibility at table distance. Add it to category headers or "house favourites" boxes to tie slogan and best-sellers together because many guests follow those cues. Include it on receipts, loyalty materials, table talkers, takeout bags, and your Google Business Profile description. More placement ideas: Cafe marketing ideas and Bar slogans.

Test Quickly, Then Lock It In (30–60 Days)

A/B test in email subject lines, Instagram captions, and on top-of-menu banners. Track CTR, saves and shares, and on-site attach rate for items tagged with slogan-adjacent callouts like "house-made." Roll the winner into signage, uniforms, and website meta.

Templates You Can Adapt Today

• Value-led (fast casual or QSR): "Real Food. Right Now." or "Big Taste, No Fuss."

• Occasion-led (FSR): "Wood-Fired. Well-Loved." or "Tableside Time Well Spent."

• Community-led (pubs or bars): "Good Neighbours, Great Nights." or "Where Moncton Gathers."

• Daypart-led (coffee or cafés): "Start Bright. Stay Local." or "Brewed Here. Belonged Here."

Use the structure [Product] + [Benefit] or [Vibe] + [Payoff], then pressure-test for truth and clarity.

Finish Strong: A 30-Day Plan

Week 1: AI generation leads to a shortlist of 10, then bilingual drafts, then legal check. 

Week 2: Menu and receipt mockups (printed) plus social avatar and header refresh. 

Week 3: A/B test in email subject lines plus top-of-menu banner. 

Week 4: Pick the winner, order signage, add to Google Business Profile plus loyalty enrol screens.

Your Next Steps

Creating a great slogan doesn’t need months of work. With the current crop of AI tools, a solid handle on your brand, and a quick legal check, you can land on a line that feels true to your restaurant and sticks with Canadian guests.

Start by defining what makes your restaurant unique, generate options quickly, and test them in real environments where your guests actually spend time. The restaurants that succeed with slogans are the ones that make them visible, repeatable, and true to their brand promise.