They may not have the same raw beauty as grizzlies or bighorn sheep, but brand-name national franchises now have some protection in Banff, the Alberta tourist centre where about one-quarter of main-strip stores are chains or "formula-based businesses."
After years of studying and debating the issue, Banff town council voted in March against a land-use bylaw amendment that would have imposed quotas on the number of formula-based businesses (read: national franchises and chains) in the mountain town.
The vote wasn't unanimous, and council also defeated an amendment that would have made approval of all such businesses discretionary under the bylaw. That means Banff visitors can continue to associate names like McDonald's and Tim Hortons with their trips to Canada's most popular national park. Some locals continue to voice concerns that the tourist centre risks losing its unique identity if too many franchises appear on Banff Avenue.
from Western Investor May 2013
