INDUSTRY NEWS
Your source for what’s happening in Canadian franchising Wendy’s Opens 400th Restaurant in Canada, Celebrates Growth and Innovation Milestone Wendy’s®, the quick-service restaurant brand that brought its signature fresh beef to Canada in 1975, is now celebrating a major growth milestone and introducing a wholly enhanced restaurant design to Canada with the opening of its 400th restaurant in the country. The new restaurant located in Ottawa was opened in November. This not only marks a significant milestone, but also features the new Wendy’s International brand standard for design. This includes a smaller footprint with a simple, efficient design that costs less to build while being adaptable to a range of locations including urban retail locations, food courts, drive-thru only, and even shipping containers. This is a significant milestone and a testament to the brand’s leadership in design innovation and recent growth as it strives to bring more Wendy’s to more Canadians in unique ways. “Wendy’s has strong momentum in Canada with nine years of consecutive same restaurant sales growth, and the addition of more than 50 new locations across the country in recent years,” says Abigail Pringle, Wendy’s president, International, and chief development officer. The brand isn’t stopping with its 400th location. “Looking ahead, and with commitments from current franchisees and through the recruitment of future franchise partners, we’ve laid out an ambitious plan to significantly accelerate growth,” adds Pringle. “Expanding our presence also allows us to create more career opportunities as we bring more high-quality,
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freshly prepared food to customers across Canada.” Wendy’s is actively recruiting new franchisees, with significant opportunity in Quebec, one of the most populous provinces in Canada, and the Maritimes. Both are regions where Wendy’s currently has a lower footprint and is looking to expand. Additionally, Wendy’s is innovating to provide more access and convenience for urban customers, including through investments in its mobile app and delivery business, and through a new development commitment with REEF to open and operate 700 delivery kitchens over the next five years across Canada, the U.S., and the UK. The pilot with REEF started in Canada in 2020 and there are now nine REEF delivery kitchen locations to-date across the country. Jack Rabba Receives Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Canadian Immigrant Magazine Jack Rabba, founder of Rabba Fine Foods, was named in November the Entrepreneur of the Year by Canadian Immigrant magazine, as well as one of the Top 25 Canadians honoured by the same magazine for his inspiring story and leadership since immigrating to Canada. In its 13th year, the awards program recognizes inspirational immigrants who’ve made a positive impact in their communities, including success in business. “I’m deeply honoured to be recognized alongside so many Canadians who are working tirelessly to make our country a better place,” says Rabba. “We’re blessed to play a role in strengthening the neighbourhoods and communities in which we live. We take our responsibility to
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heart—and I’m not alone in embracing this task. I wish to extend my congratulations and thanks to all of the people at Rabba Fine Foods and all its associated wholesale, food, and real estate businesses.” Jack Rabba was born in the Middle East into desperately impoverished conditions. During his youth, Rabba’s father was bedridden and, at age 13, he had to take any job he could find in restaurants and hotels to support his parents and siblings. These jobs afforded him an opportunity to serve visitors from many nations, but it was the compassion and kindness of Canadians that sparked in him an undying love for the country even before his arrival. Rabba immigrated in 1966 with only the promise of a clerical job at a hotel, clothes on his back, and his Canadian aspirations. Unwilling to take this opportunity for granted, he spent every moment focused on building a better life. As his business grew, Rabba realized Torontonians were looking for more variety, so he expanded the store. Customers liked the new selection and so the small store became multiple neighbourhood markets. In 1985, Rabba renamed the chain and launched Rabba Fine Foods. Today, there are 35 locations across Ontario. College Pro 50 Summers Live Stream Call Included 245 Window Cleaning and Franchise Professionals to Unite in Company’s Future Tony Valle, CEO of College Pro and longtime company executive of the brand, held the franchise organization’s 50 Summers event in November with 245 College Pro alumni who came together to celebrate the 50th
