Franchising is an ever-evolving industry with new trends and new methods popping up every day. In June, Canadian franchises had a lot going on. Food franchises introduced new menu items perfect for summer, franchise systems went more hi-tech with new technological gadgets, and franchisees across the country gave back to their communities through charity events. Find out what’s been going on in the world of franchising with this Monthly Franchising News Roundup.
Food Franchises and Hot Summer Deals
Taco Bell Brings Baja Blast to Canada
Baja Blast, an original Taco Bell drink, is finally available in Canada just in time for summer. Canadian fans of the Mexican food franchise have been waiting over a decade to get their hands on this refreshing tropical lime Mountain Dew flavor that was specially formulated to complement Taco Bell’s food. The drink’s release in Canada is the first time Baja Blast will be available outside the US.
McDonald’s Launches Fish and Chips in Atlantic Canada
McDonald’s is drawing inspiration from traditional local foods with a take on a classic favourite. From May 29 to August 20, McDonald’s customers in Atlantic Canada will be able to order the Fish and Chips Meal, featuring crunchy battered Atlantic haddock, McDonald’s fries, and tartar dipping sauce. All the fish is locally sourced.
A&W Canada Introduces Cod Burger and Cod Wrap
A&W Canada is also feeling seafood for the summer. The fast food burger franchise has introduced the limited-time Wild-Caught Cod Burger and Cod Wrap. The Cod Burger is made with hand-cut strips of breaded cod, coleslaw, and tartar sauce on a toasted bun. The Cod Wrap features the same served wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
Tim Hortons Serves Poutine Across Canada
Tim Hortons Poutine is made from signature crispy potato wedges, Quebec cheese curds, and topped with gravy. The breakfast franchise debuted the new menu item on June 13. Customers also have the option of adding chili and bacon on top. Tim Hortons Poutine is available at most locations across the country.
Burger King Canada Spins Kit Kat Shake
Burger King Canada is spinning a new Kit Kat Shake for a limited time that is cool for the summer. The shake will feature vanilla soft serve blended with Kit Kat pieces and vanilla sauce and topped with whipped topping. The Kit Kat Shake joins Burger King’s line of specialty shakes that also includes the Oreo Shake and the Oreo Chocolate Shake.
KFC Canada Rolls Out Snack-Sized Buckets
New Go Buckets at participating KFC locations across Canada are perfectly snack-sized. The Go Buckets are available in three variations: the Kentucky Flatbread Go Bucket includes a Kentucky Flatbread Sandwich and fries; the Original Recipe Tenders Go Bucket includes two chicken tenders and fries; and the Popcorn Chicken Go Bucket includes popcorn chicken and fries.
Jugo Juice Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Energy Menu
Jugo Juice celebrated 20 years of serving delicious smoothies with the launch of three cold-brew coffee and three matcha tea smoothies. These new additions form the new energy category of the smoothie franchise’s menu and are promoted as a healthier alternative to traditional caffeine drinks. Jugo Juice was founded in Calgary in 1998 and now has 140 locations across the country.
Charitable Franchises
Pizza Nova Raises Funds to feed Students
Pizza Nova held its 23rd annual charity golf tournament in June at Station Creek Golf Club in Gormley, Ontario to raise money for Student Nutrition Ontario, a charity that provides healthy meals and snacks for students. The event raised $51,542 through guest registrations, sponsorships, raffles, and silent auctions.
Inner Spirit Supports the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
Inner Spirit, a specialty retailer of recreational cannabis dispensaries in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, announced a five-year charitable commitment in support of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF). The Inner Spirit head office in Calgary will also establish the DWF Legacy Room, a space in which to help education Canadians about the history of Residential Schools and the story of Chanie Wenjack.
Blaze Pizza Partners with (Red) to Fight AIDS
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza has teamed up with (Red) for the fifth year in a row to raise funds at the franchise’s restaurants in North America in support of the fight against AIDS. For the whole month of June, Blaze’s signature Red Vine Pizza was rebranded as the (Red) Vine Pizza, and each time a customer purchased a pizza and a Coke beverage, the franchisor donated $1 to (Red) up to a total of $50,000. In addition, for every customer that posted a picture of their order on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #CokeRedSweepstakes and tagged @BlazePizza, the company donated a further $1 up to $10,000.
Tech Savvy Franchises
9Round Unveils Health and Fitness App
9Round has launched a new health and fitness app to help its members record and track their stats, monitor their goals, plan their meals, and invite their friends to work out with them. Members of the kickboxing club franchise can review their workout results and set goals for their next workout, all while utilizing the 9Round Pulse heart-rate technology. Non-members can also use the app to search for and book a free introductory workout.
Tint World Utilizes Windshield Nanotechnology
Tint World has teamed up with Alchemy to offer installations of ExoShield nanotechnology windshield protection films for the automotive service franchise’s customers. With new automotive features like heads-up displays being embedded in windshield glass, protective measures are more popular than ever. ExoShield is a thin, transparent film that increases impact resistance up to six times the industry standards while also protecting from harmful UV rays.
Boston Pizza Gives Away Pizza Box Designed for Eating Pizza in Bed
Boston Pizza held a giveaway in June in honour of Father’s Day featuring a limited-edition box designed specifically for eating pizza in bed. Boston Pizza teamed up with john st. to create the box that folds open into a dinner-in-bed tray and gave away a limited number of BP in Bed pizza boxes to well-deserving Canadian dads.