Olymel Continues Consolidation Efforts, Announces Closure of Two Further Processing Plants

On Wednesday, Olymel announced the definitive closure of two of its further processing plants as part of the company's ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and ensure profitability across its facilities. 

Olymel is the leading producer, processor, and distributor of pork and poultry in Canada. It has production and processing facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. 

In its fresh pork sector, Olymel announced the closure of its boning and packaging plant in Princeville, Centre-du-Québec. The facility is slated to close on November...

West Coast Port Workers in Canada to Strike Starting July 1 in Blow to Recovering Supply Chain

After a recent landslide vote of union members, the ILWU Canada has served notice it plans to strike at the country’s West Coast ports starting on July 1. The Canadian Labor Code requires three days’ notice to announce a strike. The notice came on Wednesday.

Over 99% of ILWU Canada union workers critical for West Coast port operations, including in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, voted earlier this month in favor of supporting a strike if a labor deal was not reached. The vote...

Olymel Shutters Hog Production Facilities in Western Canada Due to Financial Losses

Olymel continues to consolidate its hog operations due to steep financial losses and overall uncertainty in the hog and pork markets. On Friday, the company announced the closure of its hog production facilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, both located in Western Canada.

The latest decision will impact about 80 employees and will result in the closure of five sow units in Alberta along with one sow unit in Saskatchewan.

This reduces Olymel's western sow herd from 57,000 to 40,000 sows in production and will result in a net...

The Great White North Just Got Greater: Shake Shack Is Headed to Canada!

O Canada! Shake Shack Inc. (“Shake Shack” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SHAK) will be making its much-anticipated entry into Canada in 2024. Shake Shack is proud to partner with Osmington Inc. and Harlo Entertainment Inc. Osmington, founded in 1995, and Harlo Entertainment, founded in 2018, are both Toronto-based private investment companies that prioritize innovation, value creation, and operating exceptional culinary experiences.

“We have been eyeing this incredible opportunity in Canada for quite some time and are elated to have found exceptional partners to serve...

Hormel Foods Wins Product of the Year Canada

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced the its Columbus® Charcuterie Tasting Board has won the appetizer category for Product of the Year Canada.

"We are honored to be recognized for this innovative product that is helping to make charcuterie easy and approachable for everyone," said Ali Martin, associate brand manager, international at Hormel Foods. "Charcuterie has really grown quickly in Canada, and the United States, and it's a great, anytime appetizer or snacking item for all occasions...

The NPD Group: Foodservice Traffic in Canada Grew by Double-digits in 2022

The past two years were about the recovery and revival of the Canadian foodservice industry. Visits to restaurants and foodservice outlets grew by 11% in 2022, over an 11% gain in 2021, reinforcing upward momentum, reports The NPD Group*. Consumer spending increased by 19% last year compared to the year before, primarily due to higher prices. NPD forecasts modest foodservice traffic growth in 2023 of just over 2%, which is the pre-pandemic growth rate.

Customer visits to quick service restaurants (QSR), representing 67% of total...

Olymel Continues to Consolidate Activites, Announces Closure of Its Blainville and Laval Plants

Olymel’s management is announcing the closure of two of its facilities for the further processing of pork: its Blainville and Laval plants. This decision, which is part of a reorganization undertaken in 2021 and is aimed at optimizing operations, will unfortunately result in the loss of 170 jobs in total. The United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW 1991P) representing the workers at the Blainville plant, as well as all employees at both facilities, were informed of this decision earlier today and given 12 weeks’ notice of...

Maple Leaf Foods Named to Forbes List of Canada's Best Employers 2023

Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. (TSX: MFI) has been named to the Forbes list of Canada's Best Employers 2023. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on January 25, 2023 and can be viewed on the Forbes website.

Forbes and Statista selected Canada's Best Employers 2023 through an independent survey applied to a vast sample of more than 12,000 Canadian employees working for companies with more than 500 employees in Canada...

Canada’s Foodservice Industry Posted Traffic and Dollar Gains in November

Canada’s foodservice industry recovery continued in November with an increase in consumer visits and spending, reports The NPD Group. November traffic to restaurants and foodservice outlets increased by 7%, and spending grew by 14% compared to a year ago. Full service restaurant visits increased by 17%, and quick service restaurant traffic grew by 7%. Retail foodservice, meaning prepared foods from convenience, grocery, and drug stores, declined by 9%, which turned the foodservice industry’s overall recovery trend slightly negative in November, down 1%, compared to the pre-pandemic level...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Signs Franchise & Development Agreement to Debut in Canada

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® announced today the signing of a Master Franchise and Development Agreement in Canada to begin growing Freddy's footprint across nine of Canada's provinces excluding Quebec, marking the brand's entry into the country. Led by veteran franchisees Jim Werschler and Gregg Most of North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, the deal is part of the brand's latest efforts to strategically expand across target markets throughout North America as new operators join its attractive franchise model. The Master Franchise and Development...

Canadians Unwilling to Give up Dining out, Vacation, & Streaming TV Service Despite Strong Inflation

A new Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) survey of Canadian homeowners examined the impact inflation is having on the Canadian home with almost 90% of respondents reporting that inflation is impacting their household budget. More than 60% said that the higher prices that have resulted from inflation has caused them to put off home repairs, renovations or upgrades.

The survey also looked at what Canadians are most willing to give up – or conversely, least willing – to help balance their budgets. Dining out, vacation, and streaming...