Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery have merged into a single concept, creating the second-largest premium ice cream business in the U.S. Under the plan, prominent elements from both concepts will be incorporated into each location. The businesses will be operated under the Marble Slab name.
Category Archives: Food Services
MTY acquires Mr. Sub, Koryo Korean BBQ
MTY Food Group has completed the purchase of two quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands. Mr. Sub was acquired for a total consideration of $23 million by MTY’s wholly owned subsidiary MTY Tiki Ming Enterprises Inc. The same subsidiary also acquired Koryo Korean BBQ Franchise Corp., for a total consideration of $1.8 million.
Panago opens two Toronto franchises
Continuing its Ontario expansion efforts, Panago Pizza announced two new Toronto locations. The chain’s Liberty Village store debuted in mid-November, while a second franchise, at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave., was set to open in early December.
Wok Box expands with U.S. franchise agreement
Canadian franchise Wok Box has signed its first franchise agreement south of the border, with locations set to open in Phoenix, Ariz., and throughout the state of Oregon. The first franchise, based in Phoenix, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2012. The chain has grown to 65 locations in Canada since being founded in 2004.
Spicy Pickle franchises coming to Canada
Spicy Pickle Franchising Inc., has announced that it is bringing its Spicy Pickle brand to Canada, under a franchise agreement signed in October. The first location is scheduled to open in Calgary this summer. The franchisor also operates BG Urban Cafes, a brand that already has 12 locations in the Greater Vancouver Area.
Famous Dave’s BBQ heads north
Famous Dave’s BBQ has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Famous Ribs of Canada Inc., a subsidiary of Tribal Councils Investment Group of Manitoba Ltd. The deal marks the rib franchise’s first international expansion effort. The first location is slated to open in Winnipeg in 2012.
Papa John’s teams up with NFL
Fans of football and pizza can now get their fix of both with Papa John’s, which was recently announced as the official pizza sponsor of the National Football League (NFL) in Canada.
An extension of an official U.S. sponsorship agreement signed in 2010, the new multi-year deal allows all 53 Canadian Papa John’s franchises to use official league and team logos and trademarks in its marketing and advertising campaigns.
“The National Football League is growing in Canada and so is Papa John’s,” said the company’s chief marketing officer Andrew Varga. “Our franchises and our customers in the United States have benefitted greatly from our sponsorship of the NFL.”
The company cited an increasingly large Canadian NFL fan base, coupled with the recent games the Buffalo Bills held in Toronto, as reasons for extending the deal beyond U.S. borders. Papa John’s also has sponsorship deals in Mexico and the U.K., as well as individual deals with several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.
Boston Pizza unveils smaller restaurant size
Prospective Boston Pizza franchisees now have a more affordable opportunity to become a part of the full-service restaurant (FSR) chain’s future growth.
The company has unveiled a smaller (4,100-sf) prototype store, featuring 140 indoor seats and a 50-seat patio. The new restaurants will still follow the same format as larger Boston Pizza locations, combining a family dining area and separate sports bar.
“We are excited to launch this new franchise opportunity perfect for markets that were previously challenging due to market size or real estate availability,” said Ken Otto, Boston Pizza International’s chief operating officer, who added the new stores will allow franchisees to open in smaller communities without sacrificing profitability.
The smaller-footprint store is the second new concept announced in recent months; the company recently opened its first urban concept in Toronto. Otto said Boston Pizza will use the two new prototypes to build on its 340-store location count with expansion to both larger and smaller markets.
The smaller-scale Boston Pizza store concept illustrated here is designed to be a more affordable option for new franchisees in smaller communities.
Edo Japan CEO named Entrepreneur of the Year
Tom Donaldson, president and CEO of quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchise Edo Japan was recently recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Acknowledged in the hospitality and tourism division in the Prairies Region, Donaldson was quick to share credit with the entire Edo team.
“This award would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of all our franchisees and their staff in our 101 restaurants across Canada,” Donaldson said. “We are honoured to be recognized by such a prestigious organization such as Ernst & Young, and Edo Japan will continue to work diligently to provide the great food and service that our customers have come to love and expect.”
Donaldson joined Edo Japan in his current role in 1999 and has worked to grow the QSR concept across the country. The chain currently has more than 100 locations, both freestanding and in shopping malls.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which are now in their 18th year in Canada, are handed out in more than 50 countries around the world.
Edo Japan president and CEO Tom Donaldson (far left), pictured here with franchisees Estella and Nelson Rodriguez, was recently honoured as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Wendy’s gets a modern makeover
A new ultra-modern Wendy’s concept restaurant, the first of its kind in Canada, has opened in the Etobicoke neighbourhood of Toronto.
One of four new concept stores to be tested in the North American market, the layout of the location is designed to be brighter and more open, with large windows, a fireplace and various seating options, including high-top tables, booths and upholstered chairs. A bright red centre wall, surrounded with brick and wood, welcomes visitors to
‘Wendy’s Etobicoke.’
The restaurant also features free wireless Internet access and unique menu items, including Red Roasters coffee and baked goods. Customers can order the new offerings, listed on digital menu boards, from staff in redesigned uniforms.
“This is a very different experience from what Wendy’s customers are used to,” said Ron Baugh, senior vice-resident of Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada. “Three years of research and feedback from thousands of people are reflected in this exciting new concept store.”
The company will evaluate the model—which is also being tested in several U.S. markets—based on added research and customer feedback. A second Canadian redesigned location was slated to open in Kingston, Ont., in December.
Wendy’s Etobicoke, the chain’s first Canadian ultra-modern concept store, features a revamped décor and menu.
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February 2011
VOLUME 18 | NUMBER 1
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