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The fall weather is dying down as a winter snow settles over much of Canada. While the change in weather may make you want to shut your doors and do nothing until the thaw, franchises are showing no sign of slowing down. November has shown franchises to be as innovative as ever, with new restaurant designs, streamlined systems, and automated technology popping up at some of the top franchise brands in the country. Catch up on the hot news stories that you missed in the past month in this Monthly Franchising News roundup for November.
Canadian Tire Automates In-Store Pick-Ups
Canadian Tire, Canada’s top department store franchise that sells a wide range of automotive, home décor, outdoor living products, sports and leisure equipment, and tools, unveiled a new e-commerce solution this month. The solution is designed to streamline in-store pick-ups for online shopping. The 4.9 m self-service pick-up towers were introduced to five locations across Canada including stores in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Toronto. Canadian Tire also has plans to debut two new ways to pick up online purchases at one of the brand’s Ottawa locations with a fleet of self-serve lockers and automated check-in terminals. Customers will be able to enter a unique code on an in-store tablet, prompting a staff member to bring their ordered items directly to them.
Smoke’s Poutinerie Streamlines Service with New POS System
Smoke’s Poutinerie, a nationwide Canadian poutine restaurant franchise, announced this month that it will begin incorporating new point-of-sale (POS) tablets in all of its restaurants and mobile food trucks. Since being founded in 2009, Smoke’s Poutinerie has expanded to more than 150 locations across Canada. The Vexilor tablets, created by Givex, are a cloud-based solution designed to streamline business operation within the franchise. The uniquely Canadian restaurant and mobile food truck franchise is excited to partner with Givex to incorporate the new technology in order to more seamlessly bring poutine to the masses and deliver entertainment-fuelled experiences to the brand’s Plaid Nation Fans around the world.
The Melting Pot Gets a Restaurant Redesign
The Melting Pot, a fondue franchise with 115 locations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and the Middle East, revealed this month a new restaurant design concept that will enhance the interactive customer experience. The redesign will include updated culinary elements and design, such as casual dining and outdoor seating areas; an open-kitchen design, showcasing both cheese and chocolate fondue; a dedicated wine tasting area; and an expanded retail area. The reimagined restaurant concept creates multiple dining areas and experiences to give The Melting Pot guests their choice of atmosphere while they dine with the franchise.
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