Food In Canada

Recipe announces $35M Covid crisis rent subsidy program for franchisees

By Food in Canada   

Food In Canada Business Operations COVID-19


May 22, 2020, Vaughan, Ont. – Recipe Unlimited Corporation, Canada’s largest full-service restaurant group, has announced a $35-million rent subsidy program to assist its franchise network with direct rent support through the end of 2020.

As dining rooms slowly reopen across Canada, many may assume the crisis for restaurants has passed, the group said in a statement. Yet with government mandates on capacity limits, supporting restaurant operators across the country is more critical than ever.

Recipe’s rent subsidy program provides franchisees additional economic support and allows more time for them to recover financially.

This is in addition to a new royalty subsidy program the company also announced. Both subsidy programs will continue through the balance of 2020.

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At the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, Recipe swiftly implemented the following actions:

  • Board of directors and Recipe’s CEO voluntarily suspended their compensation.
  • The senior leadership team and all support centre teams agreed to pay cuts.
  • All dividend payments to shareholders were cancelled.
  • All stock buybacks were cancelled.
  • Recipe suspended the collection of royalty fees and advertising payments from its franchisee network.
  • Recipe provided wage premiums to employees continuing to work in corporate restaurants.
  • Recipe and its franchisees have donated more than $1.5 million to charities, front-line workers and food banks across Canada.
  • Recipe supported the launch of the #onetable industry campaign, in support of independent Canadian restaurants
  • Recipe continues to negotiate with landlords for assistance with ongoing rent support until sustainable sales levels return.

“We believe that our franchisees need assistance now versus waiting for negotiations with landlords to effectively respond to the problem,” said Frank Hennessey, CEO of Recipe. β€œIt is my hope that our commercial real estate landlords will recognize that everyone has a responsibility to do the right thing. We need them to do their part to assist restaurant owners and other retailers who have been, and will continue to be, severely impacted by this crisis.”

Recipe franchises and/or operates some of the most recognized brands in the country including Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, St-Hubert, The Keg, Milestones, Montana’s, Kelseys, East Side Mario’s, New York Fries, Landing Group and Original Joe’s.

 


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