Nearly nine out of 10 (86 per cent) Canadians own a smartphone, according to the Consumer Technology Association. At the same time, 71 per cent of Canadians dine out up to 10 times a month, according to a recent Eagle Eye study, “Changing Tastes & Flavours,” which surveyed 2,000 Canadian consumers and 200 F&B operators. Most of them (62 per cent) spend up to $30 per visit.  13 per cent of Canadians used their smartphone to order takeout from third-party delivery services last year. As Gen Z grows, this ‘economy of convenience’ will only increase in popularity.  This trend makes for a compelling reason why food and beverage (F&B) operators should capitalize on the opportunity with mobile to drive a digital-first marketing strategy.   If you’re an F&B brand or marketer, creating digital connections with consumers using online and social networking platforms should top your strategic priority list to get ahead of the competition, which now includes online food ordering and delivery firms such as Uber Eats and Grubhub. The Eagle Eye study showed that 13 per cent of Canadians used such platforms instead of the brand itself. The number is higher in the United States, with 44 per…