It's one of the most well-known names in ice cream in the U.S., and now the multi-national chain Baskin-Robbins has revealed plans for a major expansion in western Canada, particularly in Metro Vancouver and Calgary.
Though it has thousands of ice cream shops scooping flavours at a combined over 8,000 locations in nearly 50 countries, Baskin-Robbins has a relatively small footprint to date in Canada. "With a network of nearly 80 franchisees, Baskin-Robbins currently operates 107 shops across Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Manitoba," explains a news release.
However, plans are underway to grow Baskin-Robbins, and its 2022 rebranded logo and look, in Metro Vancouver, with a whopping 25 shops in the works. The first two new Baskin-Robbins Canada shops, both in malls, opened already in Metro Vancouver: One in July in Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby and another in early August at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey.
“With a sweet legacy in Canada, Baskin-Robbins remains focused on growth across the country,” says Craig Walker, Senior Director of International Business, for Baskin-Robbins in Canada, in a media release.
The expansion push is courtesy of Adel Ashry of McMaster Group Holdings, who got his start in franchising global chains in the Middle East before spending the last nine years in the industry from a Toronto base. Ashry has now moved to Vancouver and has the business' sights set on growing the longstanding ice cream shop chain on this side of Canada. The company has now signed its largest franchise agreement in 51 years in the Canadian market.
The new locations will be designed according to Baskin-Robbins’ new ‘Moments’ design, which includes eye-catching dipping cabinets, flexible and comfortable seating, and modernized digital menu boards, according to the company.
A total of 25 new shops will open in Metro Vancouver and Calgary. The next to open will be at the Marine Gateway development at Marine and Cambie in South Vancouver, opening this summer.
