Franchises

California-based CKE Restaurants Inc., the operator of Carl's Jr., has opened a new outlet in Kelowna as it continues discussions for new franchise agreements in Vancouver and three other western Canadian locations.

Now paying for fast food is much faster than the food itself. New point-of-sale technology using MasterCard's PayPass contactless payment technology began at more than 1,400 McDonald's locations across Canada this summer.

Discount real estate sales franchise PropertyGuys.com Inc. has teamed up with real estate brokerage group Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. to create one of the largest real estate enterprises in Canada.

Montreal-based MTY Food Group Inc. has purchased Mr. Submarine Ltd. for $23 million cash.

Famous Dave's of America will open its first international location in Canada in Winnipeg in June 2012, the company reports, in a deal with local native councils.

"We're gearing up for the November Franchise Show in Vancouver," Ratchford said. "We have between 80 to 100 opportunities across Canada for Enviro Paving franchises, and we're looking at getting seven or eight more in B.C. immediately.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters of Richmond has opened a new outlet in South Delta. Franchise owners Carole Petersen and Gina Holvick started their first CruiseShipCenters in Richmond in 1992, which at the time was the sixth CruiseShipCenters franchise.

Edmonton-based Pizza 73 is the first Western Canadian pizza franchise to roll out an iPhone application that allows customers to order pizza through a free app download from Apple's App Store. The app also includes the full Pizza 73 menu.

When Clancy's Meat Co. CEO Paul Monger realized that, in order to take on the competition in the specialty meats franchise industry a rejuvenation of the brand was needed, he didn't cut any corners.

With around 400 coffee shops in the Lower Mainland, it takes something special to stand out from the competition. Long-time restaurateurs and brothers Dean and Steve Punzo think they have done just that.