Canadian Retail Thread

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

no, neither ever did.
The Rona on Wonderland used to have a "Real Canadian Bagel" franchise, but its gone.

every year it seems that there are fewer and fewer Harvey's.

That Rona had a hot dog cart out front at one point, back in maybe 2006. I used to go there sometimes when I worked nearby.

Harvey’s pulled out of BC entirely in 2020, followed by Swiss Chalet this year.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

That Rona had a hot dog cart out front at one point, back in maybe 2006. I used to go there sometimes when I worked nearby.

Harvey’s pulled out of BC entirely in 2020, followed by Swiss Chalet this year.

Ya that lower quality Ontario stuff doesn't work in BC.

[MonkeyRonin]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Ya that lower quality Ontario stuff doesn't work in BC.

Good lord, you're insufferable.

[megadude]

Why is it that when I order Swiss Chalet for curbside pickup, when I check in on my phone, I get a confirmation text message from a 604 area code number? I figured Swiss Chalet had operations in BC. Perhaps their parent company does, though it's HQ'd in Vaughan. And I mean like an office in BC, not just restaurants.

Swiss and Harvey's comes through pretty clutch for family or kids meals for good value when you want something better than fast food. And Harvey's often has good promos. And unlike McDs, when you order on the app, it'll be ready for when you arrive. Plus the 10% off discount for CAA members adds up.

[WarrenC12]

Swiss Chalet was great bang for the buck in Vancouver. I didn't go often but I was never disappointed.

We had a Harvey's and Robin's donuts(?) in Home Depot and Revy respectively. They never seemed busy.

[casper]

Originally Posted by megadude

Why is it that when I order Swiss Chalet for curbside pickup, when I check in on my phone, I get a confirmation text message from a 604 area code number? I figured Swiss Chalet had operations in BC. Perhaps their parent company does, though it's HQ'd in Vaughan. And I mean like an office in BC, not just restaurants.

Swiss and Harvey's comes through pretty clutch for family or kids meals for good value when you want something better than fast food. And Harvey's often has good promos. And unlike McDs, when you order on the app, it'll be ready for when you arrive.

There is a software company based out of Vancouver called Monkey Soft that runs the white labelled software platform used by many of the large US and Canadian chains. I believe a year or two ago they were taken over by ezCater out of Boston. They focus on restaurants and catering. That text is likely coming from a number registered to them.

Mighty Oaks out of Victoria does the same kind of thing for online grocery store ordering.

Being white labelled means you normally see the retailer branding on everything but it is usually one of these software platforms being used by the retailer in the background.

[le calmar]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Ya that lower quality Ontario stuff doesn't work in BC.

Are there any BC-based chains specializing in rotisserie chicken? Swiss Chalet pretty much has a monopoly in Ontario, but here in Ottawa we have a few St-Hubert and Benny & Co thanks to being a border city. I prefer those to Swiss Chalet.

[megadude]

Originally Posted by casper

There is a software company based out of Vancouver called Monkey Soft that runs the white labelled software platform used by many of the large US and Canadian chains. I believe a year or two ago they were taken over by ezCater out of Boston. They focus on restaurants and catering. That text is likely coming from a number registered to them.

Mighty Oaks out of Victoria does the same kind of thing for online grocery store ordering.

Being white labelled means you normally see the retailer branding on everything but it is usually one of these software platforms being used by the retailer in the background.

Ah okay. That makes sense.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by le calmar

Are there any BC-based chains specializing in rotisserie chicken? Swiss Chalet pretty much has a monopoly in Ontario, but here in Ottawa we have a few St-Hubert and Benny & Co thanks to being a border city. I prefer those to Swiss Chalet.

Hm I don't think so. I think of the grocery store when I think of rotisserie chicken actually.

[theman23]

Originally Posted by Denscity

Ya that lower quality Ontario stuff doesn't work in BC.

Then how do you explain White Spot? It’s basically the BC version of Swiss Chalet, except they specialize in microwaved frozen dinners.

[casper]

Originally Posted by theman23

Then how do you explain White Spot? It’s basically the BC version of Swiss Chalet, except they specialize in microwaved frozen dinners.

White Spots big thing is burgers. They do a good burger.

A&W is also based out of Vancouver. Burgers (not quite as good as White Spots) and breakfast.

Boston Pizza, JOEY, The Keg, Mr Mikes and Cactus Club would be other BC based chains.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by casper

White Spots big thing is burgers. They do a good burger.

A&W is also based out of Vancouver. Burgers (not quite as good as White Spots) and breakfast.

Boston Pizza, JOEY, The Keg, Mr Mikes and Cactus Club would be other BC based chains.

Yeah White Spot is a good, dependable meal, especially for burgers. I have never perceived it to be "microwaved frozen dinners". There's no need to counter a silly regional critique with another silly regional critique.

I don't eat their often, outside of when I'm dropping someone off at YVR though.

Swiss Chalet and Harveys probably didn't succeed here due to a lack of brand attachment. In a similar vein, Nordstrom does much better here because it's a Seattle-based brand for which Vancouverites already had an affinity.

[WhipperSnapper]

There's so many chicken options out there and all grocery stores carry rotisserie chicken with dipping sauce that taste exactly like the one I remember at Swiss Chalet. It's been eons since I've had Swiss Chalet or St Hubert. I liked St Hubert's dipping sauce more. I recall it as flavourable but, milder and less acidic. The complimentary ice cream scoop of coleslaw at St Hubert was excellent.

Hmm. Is there a law that sit down restaurants had to provide a serving of veggies with every meal? The ice cream scoop of slaw was a staple at affordable family restaurants with meat and fries menus.

[WhipperSnapper]

Chain Wars. The best national chains with local corporate offices. That would be a great thread.


Chains in which the novelty of an aggressive expansion strategy is wearing thin on creditors will pull back in areas with the fewest outlets regardless how popular those stores are. Streamline logistics by concentrating on the core areas.

Concluding that Swiss Chalet closed in Vancouver because of a more discerning palette in a city of millions is a little arrogant.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by theman23

Then how do you explain White Spot? It’s basically the BC version of Swiss Chalet, except they specialize in microwaved frozen dinners.

Good analogy. As with Swiss Chalet, White Spot is basically fast food served in a pleasant sit-down restaurant environment.

What does it say about me that I like them both

Harvey's though, is kind of pointless. If I want a cheap, tasty, burger I'll just go to McDonald's or Burger King.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by esquire

Harvey's though, is kind of pointless. If I want a cheap, tasty, burger I'll just go to McDonald's or Burger King.

Harvey's is a time machine back to 1992. You go in, and it's just....1992 all over again. Most of the stores haven't been renovated from that time anyway.

The burgers are OK, IMO slightly better than McDonald's or BK.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Harvey's is a time machine back to 1992. You go in, and it's just....1992 all over again. Most of the stores haven't been renovated from that time anyway.

The burgers are OK, IMO slightly better than McDonald's or BK.

I would disagree with that last bit

But Burger King is similar here in terms of their restaurants being untouched in ages. When I was a teenager I was a big fan of the 99 cent Whopper in the late 90s (probably too much for my own good ) . But I hadn't been into a BK for almost 20 years until I took my kids to one a few years ago... I was shocked when it had the same teal and white decor I remembered from decades earlier. Nothing had changed. The place was empty, too... it was kind of sad.

[casper]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Harvey's is a time machine back to 1992. You go in, and it's just....1992 all over again. Most of the stores haven't been renovated from that time anyway.

The burgers are OK, IMO slightly better than McDonald's or BK.

We have higher standards out west. A&W and Triple-O are far better than McDonald's, BK or Harvy's.

Triple-O is the fast food counter service from White Spot. Menu limited to burgers, served on wax paper instead of proper plates. However with the same sauce. The only think I don't like about it the fries. I find they are consistently under cooked. But the burgers are great.

As for Harvey's. The texture of the meat is just wrong. That said, a few weeks ago I had a burger in Montreal at a Sheraton hotel and it was terrible; a Harvey's would have been better. I am just coming to the conclusion that central Canada may have high standards for rotisserie chicken but not when it comes to burgers.

[WhipperSnapper]

Harvey's has good toppings. The meat patty isn't that good.

BK is forever rebranding but, yeah, the restaurant nearest me hasn't been updated since it opened. The McDonald's counter has been redone several times during that period. The BK still had the old school static menu board the last time I went there.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Good lord, you're insufferable.

It's true. Swiss Chalet Harvey's East Side Marios Kelseys Second Cup is all crap compared to our chains like Earls Cactus Club Joey Blenz etc.