franchising

From The Desk: Polarized retail growth, evolving formats and AI-driven customer engagement

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail faces polarization between value and premium tiers, driving format changes, franchising growth and AI tools to sharpen differentiation and customer eng...

Daily Synopsis: September 29, 2026

Retail Insider -
Aritzia withstands U.S. tariff pressures while growing revenues, and Canadian brands STEFF ELEOFF and Craig’s Cookies broaden their retail reach through pop-ups and franchising, and other news.

From The Desk: Retailers adapt formats and expansion amid labour, cost and consumer shifts

Retail Insider -
Canadian retailers adjust store formats and expansion amid labour challenges, cost pressures and uneven spending, balancing growth with operational control.

Daily Synopsis: September 25, 2026

Retail Insider -
Competition Bureau seeks info on grocers in new wave, Marc Giroux steps in as CEO of Metro Inc., Pokemon thefts rise, Starbucks closing some Canadian locations, ABC Books shutting on Yonge St. in Toronto, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: August 31, 2026

Retail Insider -
Happy belly expanding, 35 years since Simpsons shuttered, Westcliff expanding following Kingsway Mall acquisition, and other news.

Canadian, U.S. and Mexican franchise groups sign trilateral agreement

Mario Toneguzzi -
The agreement is intended to help franchise businesses better understand and enter each other's markets, including through greater information sharing on regulations, intellectual property, costs, supply chains, consumers and market-entry strategies.

Daily Synopsis: Aug 10, 2026

Retail Insider -
Safeway reopening at Oakridge Park this month, Giant Tiger shuts The Pas store, Sysco expanding in Canada, SUKOSHI opening at West Edmonton Mall, and other news.

Jollibee Plans Major Canadian Expansion as 26 New Restaurants Committed Through Franchising

Lee Rivett -
A 16-restaurant development agreement in British Columbia follows a 10-store commitment in the Edmonton market as Jollibee shifts toward franchise-led growth in Canada.

Daily Synopsis: Jul 16, 2026

Retail Insider -
Metro selling baking facility, Dollarama recalls spices, two employees from Ottawa store mourned as they die in a week, uncertain future for businesses at 55 ByWard Market Square in Ottawa, Save-On-Foods opens in Lillooet, and other news.

Retail Insider “Food Service Report”: Scale, Value and New Formats Reshape Canadian Restaurants

Lee Rivett -
Retail Insider’s Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service Report examines resilient restaurant spending, tougher traffic competition, franchise platform growth, value-led QSR strategy, coffee and breakfast pressure, and the growing role of food halls, mixed-use projects and flexible formats.

Q2 2026 Canadian Food Service: Scale, Value and New Formats

Craig Patterson -
Canadian food service remained resilient in Q2 2026 as operators competed for traffic through value offers, franchise growth, coffee competition, wellness concepts, menu upgrades, and new real estate formats.

Daily Synopsis: July 3, 2026

Retail Insider -
Marilyn Brooks passes at 93, Forever 21 and Bluenotes exit CF Polo Park, West Edmonton Mall roller coaster under construction, Old Navy replacing Toys R Us at Dufferin Mall items recovered in major Holt Renfrew theft, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 9, 2026

Retail Insider -
Ikea bringing meatball-flavoured lollipops to stores, Birks secures loan for store renos, Lego opening store at CF Toronto Eaton Centre, T&T Supermarket to begin construction in Burnaby's Brentwood, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: Jun 5, 2026

Retail Insider -
Questions about Zellers' success in struggling retail sector, pot stores have high hopes for World Cup fans, downtown Calgary Hudson's Bay building shows signs of disrepair, widespread criminal gangs hit retail, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: May 12, 2026

Retail Insider -
George Weston reports Q1, retail crime numbers concerning, Walmart Canada expands retail leader's role, men's formalwear booms in Saskatchewan, Cape Bretton woman marks 50 years at Canadian Tire, and other news.

Graze Craze Enters Canada with First Ontario Location

Craig Patterson -
Florida-based charcuterie franchise Graze Craze enters Canada with a Stoney Creek, Ontario opening and broader franchise expansion plans.

Edo Japan expands across Canada as franchisee reinvestment drives growth and multi-unit ownership

Mario Toneguzzi -
Founded in Calgary, the quick‑service restaurant brand specializing in Japanese‑style cuisine is nearing 220 locations nationwide, with approximately 70 per cent of franchisees committed to multi‑unit ownership.

Q1 2026 Food Service Retail Report: Pricing Pressure and Margin Compression

Craig Patterson -
Canadian foodservice sector shows widening gap between large chains and independents as costs rise and consumers cut dining spending.

From The Desk: Strategic Growth and Market Polarization Shape Canadian Retail

Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail hits a turning point as expansion, real estate deals, and shifting consumer behaviour reshape performance across the sector.

Daily Synopsis: Apr 16, 2026

Retail Insider -
First Capital REIT acquired as Westons expand retail empire, Skip the Dishes lays off staff and closes delivery service centres in Canada, Canada Post begins ending door-to-door delivery, Doug Ford slams city-run grocery stores, Foot Locker shuts Queen West store in Toronto, and other news.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 25, 2026

Retail Insider -
Vacant Bay box at Pen Centre sees demand, Erin Mills Charmed jewellery store closing due to repeated break ins, Manitoba PST exemption on food not for mom-and-pop shops, Genesis opens in Regina, and other news.

Women Entrepreneurs Reshape Canada’s Franchise Industry

Lee Rivett -
Women entrepreneurs are gaining momentum in Canada’s franchise sector, with leaders expanding into construction, automotive, and skilled trades.

Daily Synopsis: Mar 10, 2026

Retail Insider -
Loblaw investigates data breach after hack, Cellcosmet beauty launches at Holt Renfrew, former RCC director joins CFIG, downtown safety efforts, and other news.

Vancouver dessert brand plans expansion through franchising

Mario Toneguzzi -
The Praguery’s operational model leverages small, efficient retail spaces to maximize profitability.

From Pandemic Layoff to Building Businesses in Alberta

Craig Patterson -
After a 2020 layoff, Alberta entrepreneur Darcy Skarsen and his wife Elaine built Pita Pit locations, a bowling alley, and other businesses.
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