Kelowna’s ‘The Chopped Leaf’ Ramps Up Canadian Expansion With New Franchising Opportunities and Menu Offerings [Interview]

By Mario Toneguzzi

Date:

The Chopped Leaf in Heritage Valley, Edmonton (Image: The Chopped Leaf)

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Kelowna-based The Chopped Leaf, which opened its first location in the BC city in 2007, continues to grow its footprint in Canada with plans to expand through franchising opportunities.

It’s also continually evolving its menu offering.

The brand was founded by Blair Stevens and his wife Karla.

The Chopped Leaf at Strathcona Town Centre (Image: The Chopped Leaf)

The healthy eating chain is currently expanding aggressively and looking for new franchisees across Canada with 30 new restaurants planned to open this year.

Recent openings included Winnipeg, Manitoba; Barrie, Ontario; and the chain’s first drive-thru in Grand Prairie, Alberta. Expansion is focused in Ontario, Manitoba and Atlantic Canada, with franchise opportunities also available in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec.

“Canadians are actively looking to eat healthy, and feel good after they eat, which is what we offer,” said Blair Stevens, President and Founder of The Chopped Leaf. “As we expand across Canada, we are looking for franchisees who believe in the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the power of healthy eating.”

The Chopped Leaf, owned and managed by Innovative Food Brands, is focusing on Ontario, Manitoba and Atlantic Canada and locations are franchisee-owned and operated.

The Chopped Leaf recently introduced their new Shake-A-Bowls, encouraging customers to experience the joy of shaking their own salad or bowl right after it’s been freshly made. 

In this video interview, Blair Stevens discusses how The Chopped Leaf came into being, its evolving menu, expansion plans and what today’s consumer is looking for in the food sector.

Youtube video

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Connect with Mario Toneguzzi, a veteran of the media industry for more than 40 years and named in 2021 a Top Ten Business Journalist in the world and the only Canadian – to learn how you can tell your story, share your message and amplify it to a wide audience. He is Senior News Editor with Retail Insider and owner of Mario Toneguzzi Communications Inc. and can be reached at mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com.

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Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi, based in Calgary, has more than 40 years experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He is the Co-Editor-in-Chief with Retail Insider in addition to working as a freelance writer and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Mario was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024.

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