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WESTERN INVESTOR DECEMBER 2011 www.westerninvestor.com
Games2U makes Canadian play
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Photo: Games2U
.S.-based mobile entertainment provider Games2U, Inc. has expanded into Canada. The mobile entertainment franchise brings interactive games Games2U rolls into to events such as Canada. birthday parties or fundraisers. At the November Vancouver Franchise Show, and undoubtedly with the help of its giant hamster ball and Booger Wars displays, the Games2U team seemed highly optimistic about opening franchises in the Lower Mainland in early 2012. A typical Games2U event setup includes a custom-designed equipment truck and a video game theatre with multiple 50-inch flat screens featuring Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation for up to 24 people to play simultaneously. There are also giant hamster balls that hold a passengers inside and other interactive games and toys. The company’s expansion north is a result of “consumer demand and a tremendous number of requests from entrepreneurs to join the Games2U family,” said Games2U CEO and cofounder Stu Pikoff. “As the number 1 company in our space, with over 25,000 events every year in the United States, we’re excited to bring our unique brand of fun and games to our neighbours up north.” Founded in 2007, Games2U currently has over 146 franchise territories operating in the United States and Puerto Rico. Each franchise creates custom-made events featuring patented video games, equipment and entertainment.
A Games2U franchise requires a total investment of from $90,000 to $225,000, including an initial franchise fee of $35,000.
Spicy Pickle picks Calgary
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wo-time most valuable player basketball star Steve Nash has scored a franchise hat trick outside of his on-court performance with the Phoenix Suns. Nash, a partner in Liquid Nutrition Group Inc. (LNG), reports that the beverage and snack franchise has sold out all 20 of its B.C. franchises. The NBA star Steve Nash (centre) opens Liquid Nutrition tradstores are expected to open ing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. soon in major cities across the province including Vancouver, Kelowna, Whistler and Victoria. Another 10 stores are expected to open in Metropolitan Toronto this year with plans to expand to 35 markets across Canada, including Ottawa and Oakville, Ontario; Atlantic Canada; and Montreal. Expansion into Calgary is also possible. Nash also helped to successfully launch LNG onto the Toronto Stock Exchange in September and scored his third win by blending Liquid Nitrogen into his chain of Steve Nash Sports Clubs. “As a native of B.C., I am proud to announce that we are bringing Liquid Nutrition stores to our great province,” said Nash. “I don’t always have time to fix a gourmet meal at home, so with Liquid Nutrition, I can get all the nutrients my body needs in a cup. “ He added in a smooth pitch reminiscent of his passing plays: “Perfect for my lifestyle ... perfect for any lifestyle.” Glen Young, LNG president, said the company has started tapping into major markets in Canada, U.S. and around the globe. “The interest has been extremely positive to date. People believe in our vision and our products and, simply put, they want to get involved. We received franchise requests from interested parties in as far away as the Middle East and Asia,” he said. Steve Nash Sports Clubs will be the first to offer a countertop Liquid Nutrition kiosk, with construction to commence early in December in Nash’s hometown of Vancouver. Liquid Nutrition and FWG Acquisition, part of the New Evolution Fitness Co., have agreed to the trial opening. Franchising Corp. is currently the franchisor of six Liquid Nutrition Group stores in Montreal, with franchise commitments and expansion opportunities throughout Canada and the United States, as well as licence opportunities internationally. No information on Liquid Nitrogen total franchise costs, initial franchise fees or any advertising and royalty fees were made available, despite Western Investor requests to the marketing department of Liquid Nitrogen.
enver-based fast-casual franchising company Spicy Pickle has announced today that it is expanding its brand to Canada. The company stated that it has entered into a franchise agreement for the development of the first Canadian Spicy Pickle restaurant in Calgary. The restaurant is expected to open in the summer of 2012, representing the beginning of the brand’s expansion plans across the country. Jeff Branton, vice-president and general manager for the company’s Canadian operations, including its BG Urban(SM) cafés and grills, said, “Given Canada’s strong economy, and in Calgary in particular, this is a great market in which to launch Spicy Pickle in Canada, and it will complement our BG Urban brand operations nicely. Being that we are a Canadian company with our BG Urban cafés and grills already in British Columbia, we have the infrastructure to support and grow both our brands here, so adding Spicy Pickle was a natural move.” The company, which operates its separate BG Urban restaurant brand in Western Canada, already has 12 BG Urban cafés and grills in and around Vancouver, Ian Boyd, the Calgary franchisee for Spicy Pickle, said, “I expect the brand to be huge here, and I’m just excited to be the one to introduce it to Canada. I have no doubt that the people of Calgary are going to fall in love with Spicy Pickle.” Branton, who has worked announce its Calgary location soon. closely with Boyd through his application A Spicy Pickle franchise requires a total process, said they are presently pursuing investment of approximately $272,555 to a site for the new restaurant and hope to $515,700, depending on the size and loca-
Photo: Liquid Nutrition Group Inc.
News, views and updates on Canada’s franchise industry
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tion. There is an initial franchise fee of from $15,000 to $30,000. Typically, a Spicy Pickle restaurant is around 2,000 square feet.◆ – Compiled by Kevan O’Brien
Own Your Own Country Existing Franchise Available – Golden, B.C. abc Country Restaurants has 40 years of family dining experience. If you like the idea of being up front in your own restaurant, backed by a strong corporate team, abc is the high profile brand for you. Our restaurants serving Country Comfort for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert - many with profitable meeting rooms - dot the BC and Alberta landscape. We are looking for good franchisees and welcome your inquiry. s 3ITE 3ELECTION $ESIGN s 4RAINING /PERATIONS 3UPPORT s -ENU $EVELOPMENT s -ARKETING s ,EASE .EGOTIATIONS )NVESTMENT RANGE FOR NEW LOCATIONS n )NVESTMENT RANGE FOR CONVERSIONS n
Call me today to own your own country!
FRANCHISE WITH EXPERIENCE A franchise partnership with DQ®, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, enables you to enjoy the benefits of a well-established family of concepts such as: UÊÈä³ÊÞi>ÀÃÊ vÊvÀ> V à }ÊiÝ«iÀ i Vi UÊ-ÌÀ }ÊLÀ> `ÊÀiV } Ì UÊ-ÕLÃÌ> Ì > Ê«ÕÀV >à }ÊÃÌÀi }Ì Ê> `Ê>`ÛiÀÌ Ã }Ê« ÜiÀ UÊ ÝVi«Ì > ÊvÀ> V ÃiÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊÃiÀÛ ViÃ
Gordon Beattie, President (604) 583-2919 local 22 abc Country Restaurants Inc. 15373 Fraser Hwy. Surrey, BC V3R 3P3 email: info@abcCountry.ca www.abcCountry.ca
Our Vision for the Future “We will be the franchise food system of choice!”
Phone:
CONNIE WOLBAUM
CHRIS FALLE
FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AB/SK
DIRECTOR OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT BC/MB
306-949-7889
Email:
connie.wolbaum@idq.com
Phone:
(604) 952-0202
www.dairyqueen.com
Email:
chris.falle@idq.com