Blenz Coffee expects to open its first stores in the Greater Toronto Area in the third quarter of 2024 | Photo credit: Blenz Coffee

Vancouver-based Blenz Coffee has partnered with franchise development group Franchise360 to develop a store network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). 
 

Founded in 1992, Blenz Coffee currently operates 50 stores across British Columbia, primarily in Vancouver. The coffee chain expects to open its first franchised sites in the GTA in the third quarter of 2024 before accelerating outlet growth across the region from 2025.  

“It’s a privilege to be a part of our guests’ daily rituals, and with Franchise 360, we’re excited to extend our reach and share our love for coffee and community throughout Toronto,” said Matt Smith, Vice President, Blenz Coffee.   

As market leader Tim Hortons continues to oversee store closures across Canada, several midsize operators have significantly invested in their operations through senior appointments, strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

In March 2023, Ontario-based Balzac’s Coffee Roasters appointed Randall Papineau as Vice President of Retail Operations to strengthen the specialty coffee roaster’s 16-strong café network. 

Calgary-based Good Earth Coffeehouse partnered with commercial real estate broker Marcus & Millichap in October 2023 to expand its presence across Canada via smaller-format stores and kiosks – a move which has already seen the chain grow its footprint by 10 stores to reach 62 outlets. Good Earth Coffeehouse is also growing its network by opening concessions within Indigo and Chapters bookstores – a strategy also adopted by French coffee chain Columbus Café & Co. 

In January 2024, Toronto-based Pilot Coffee Roasters acquired Bridgehead Coffee from Aegis Brands for CA$3.5m ($3.6m). The deal saw Pilot bolster its 11-store café footprint by assuming ownership of Bridgehead’s roasting facility, 22 retail stores in Ottawa and wholesale channel.   

Mississauga-based Franchise360 also works with US coffee chain Ziggi’s Coffee, tea shop operator TeaCupFuls and workplace-coffee shop concept Parlay Café.