CALGARY, AB, June 18, 2026 /CNW/ - Factor Meals, Canada's leading ready to eat meal brand, has officially opened a new 50,000 sq. ft. kitchen and distribution centre in Calgary, Alberta. The state-of-the-art facility establishes localized production in Western Canada, serving as a milestone in unlocking nationwide delivery for the brand this Fall.

Initially launched in 2022 to serve Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, the Calgary expansion allows Factor Meals to seamlessly scale its dietitian-approved, chef-crafted meal deliveries from coast to coast.

"Activating our Calgary kitchen is a critical piece of the puzzle for Factor Meals in Canada," said Ian Brooks, CEO of HelloFresh Canada, Factor Meals' parent company. "This facility positions us to achieve national service in the coming months, bringing fresh, nutritious, and convenient meals to millions of new households across the Western provinces."

The facility represents a major economic investment in the region, creating 400 new jobs across production, logistics, and management. The launch was supported by $3.6 million in provincial and federal funding, including $2.3 million from an Alberta Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC) and $1.3 million from a Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (SCAP) grant.

Tara Sawyer, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, emphasized the impact of this regional integration. "Factor Meals' new facility is a prime example of how Alberta is attracting major investment in value-added processing. The Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit and the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership help companies establish and grow in our province while taking advantage of some of the best agricultural inputs in the world. Investments like this support local farmers, strengthen our ag sector and help meet the growing demand for high-quality agri-food products."

Calgary Mayor Farkas echoed the sentiment on the local impact. "Calgarians will benefit directly from this investment as Factor Meals expands in our city, creating hundreds of jobs and strengthening our local economy. This expansion reflects Calgary's continued growth as a destination for investment, where companies are choosing to scale, invest and be part of a city that is diversifying and building long-term economic strength."

Invest Alberta and Calgary Economic Development were instrumental in bringing this investment to life, providing Factor Meals with direct access to local supply chains, skilled talent, and government resources critical to establishing and scaling operations in the Calgary region.

"Factor Meals' decision to expand in Calgary reflects the momentum we're seeing across sectors where local innovation is transforming how we produce, move and deliver goods, including food-tech and agri-processing. With a competitive cost environment, room to scale, a highly skilled workforce and strong partnerships, Calgary offers what businesses need to scale with confidence." Said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development.

The facility will also integrate deeply with the regional agricultural supply chain, utilizing provincial incentives to advance the Province's agricultural sector.

"Factor Meals' investment underscores the growing strength of Alberta's integrated supply chain—from locally produced ingredients to advanced food processing and distribution. By choosing Alberta as a base for their Western Canada operations, HelloFresh and Factor are helping improve access to high-quality, affordable food options for consumers across the region. Invest Alberta is pleased to support companies making meaningful, lasting investments that connect our agricultural strengths with innovative food solutions and deliver tangible benefits to households," said Invest Alberta, Acting CEO, Keith Bradley.

Kevin Marban, General Manager of Factor Meals, confirmed that the facility is already operational and heavily focused on this regional network. "With 400 new roles, this facility allows us to work closely with local suppliers while delivering fresh meals directly to customers' doorsteps across Western Canada," Marban said. "We're incredibly grateful for the partnership with the city and the Province and look forward to continuing to support the local community."

Inside the State-of-the-Art Calgary Kitchen

The facility operates as a large-scale commercial kitchen and production site designed to prepare high-quality meals fresh daily. Built to support premium flavour development, freshness, and strict food safety, the infrastructure includes advanced industrial ovens, grills, braisers, and blast-chilling capabilities. To seamlessly manage the supply chain from raw ingredients to final fulfillment, the site features extensive commercial-scale warehouse space with dedicated receiving docks for fresh-cut produce and proteins. The operation utilizes multiple temperature-controlled zones and ambient storage to maintain strict cold-chain integrity.

Community Partnerships

Beyond economic development, Factor Meals is establishing local food rescue initiatives to distribute surplus ingredients and meals to residents experiencing food insecurity. The brand has partnered with Second Harvest nationally, alongside local organizations including the Calgary Food Bank and the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary.

Learn more about Factor Meals at www.factormeals.ca

Port Moody, BC, (June 17, 2026) — NOVA Kitchen & Bar has officially opened its doors in Port Moody, bringing contemporary dining, award-winning cocktail and wine programs, and elevated hospitality to one of Metro Vancouver's fastest-growing culinary destinations. Furthered by a locally sourced sea-food line up and weekend brunch, NOVA brings a high class yet accessible touch to the city.

Named after the astronomical term for a "new star," NOVA is designed to offer a premium dining experience without the pretension. Collecting the talents of Head Chef Thomas Shorthouse — whose CV includes names like Fanny Bay Oyster Bar, Homer Street Café, and Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar — bar consultant Max Curzon-Price, and wine consultant Kurtis Kolt, the restaurant centres on exceptional food, thoughtful beverage offerings, and genuine hospitality in a stylish and welcoming setting.

At the heart of the menu is 100% Canadian Certified Angus Beef, selected for its rich marbling, depth of flavour, and tenderness, and aged up to 45 days. Signature offerings include Steak Frites, The Blue Cut, and the Black Truffle Sirloin. Located at the tip of the Burrard Inlet, NOVA’s menu offers West Coast-inspired seafood dishes such as Seafood Plateau, Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, and West Coast Spring Salmon.

Complementing the food menu is a thoughtfully curated beverage program. Curzon-Price, recipient of the MICHELIN Guide Vancouver Exceptional Cocktail Award, has developed signature cocktails including the 5 O'Clock Somewhere, Silk Road, and Golden Hour. Alongside it, award-winning sommelier Kolt has curated a wine program highlighting standout British Columbia producers and carefully selected international wines.

"We don't believe excellence should come with barriers," says General Manager Prashant Pandhi. "NOVA was created because Port Moody deserves a restaurant where guests can enjoy exceptional food and drinks without having to travel downtown. More importantly, we wanted to bring back the kind of hospitality where every guest feels genuinely welcomed and appreciated. That's the experience we're committed to creating every single day.”

NOVA opens amid a period of significant growth and investment in Port Moody, a community increasingly recognized as one of Metro Vancouver's emerging culinary destinations. In 2024 alone, the City issued more than $259 million in building permits and nearly 3,000 business licences, reflecting continued residential, commercial, and hospitality growth. Combined with the success of Brewers Row and a growing collection of independent restaurants, breweries, and retailers, Port Moody has emerged as one of Metro Vancouver's most vibrant food and beverage destinations.

"There is tremendous opportunity in Port Moody," says Pandhi. "The community is growing, the energy is incredible, and we’re thrilled to offer a restaurant that reflects that momentum while becoming a place where people can gather, celebrate, and connect."

NOVA's interior reflects the same balance of sophistication and comfort found throughout the guest experience. The restaurant features an inviting dining room, lively lounge, and one of Port Moody's most welcoming pet-friendly patios, designed equally for casual lunches, date nights, family gatherings, and celebrations. Live music, rotating seasonal features, and attentive service complete the experience.

Weekend brunch offers lobster Benedict, port belly hash, smoked salmon toast and brunch focused cocktails.

visit www.novarestaurant.ca

MONTREAL/TORONTO, June 16, 2026 – Foodtastic, a Canadian restaurant franchisor, today announces the acquisition of Kinton Ramen, a Japanese ramen brand founded in Canada with locations across Canada and in the United States.

The acquisition brings an established Asian dining concept into Foodtastic’s portfolio and aligns with the company’s strategy to invest in restaurant brands with clear characteristics and development potential. Founded in Toronto in 2012, Kinton Ramen was among the first Japanese ramen restaurants in the city and has since expanded across Canada and into the United States.

“We have been looking to add a strong Asian concept to our portfolio for some time, and Kinton Ramen is exactly the kind of brand we wanted to bring into Foodtastic,” said Peter Mammas, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Foodtastic. “Kinton has built a clear position in the Canadian restaurant market, with a loyal following, a strong culinary identity and significant room to grow. We believe Foodtastic’s scale, infrastructure and franchise expertise will help support the brand’s next stage of growth across Canada.”

A Kinton Ramen team member serves freshly prepared ramen to guests at a Kinton Ramen restaurant. Foodtastic acquired Kinton Ramen, adding the Canadian-born Japanese ramen brand to its growing portfolio. Photo: Kinton Ramen

Kinton Ramen offers Japanese ramen with a menu designed for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. The brand operates 58 locations in five Canadian provinces and one U.S. state, including Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, and New York.

Following the acquisition, Foodtastic will focus on expanding Kinton Ramen in Canada and will use its operating infrastructure to support the brand. There are no plans to change Kinton Ramen’s menu, loyalty program, brand identity, franchisee relationships, or guest experience.

“Kinton Ramen has always been about delivering a memorable and authentic ramen experience to guests, one bowl at a time,” said James Kim, founder of Kinton Ramen. “Foodtastic understands the strength of the brand and the significance of preserving what guests and franchisees already know and value. We are looking forward to working with the Foodtastic team as Kinton enters its next phase of growth.”

The acquisition expands Foodtastic’s portfolio of established restaurant brands in Canada. Foodtastic now operates brands across the quick-service, fast-casual, coffee, healthy-eating, casual-dining, and specialty-dining categories.

For more information, visit foodtastic.ca and kintonramen.com.

Restaurants Canada welcomed the federal government’s National Food Security Strategy announced today by Prime Minister Mark Carney, calling it an important step toward strengthening Canada’s food system through investments in domestic food production, processing, and distribution infrastructure.

Several recommendations advanced by Restaurants Canada during consultations are reflected in the strategy, including investments in food terminals and food hubs, measures to strengthen competition and consumer affordability, efforts to reduce regulatory barriers, and initiatives aimed at expanding domestic food processing capacity and improving supply-chain resilience.

“We were encouraged to see several of the priorities Restaurants Canada advanced during consultations reflected in the final strategy,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Food security depends on strong domestic production and processing capacity, efficient distribution networks, competitive markets, and reliable access to food. The strategy recognizes the importance of strengthening each of those elements.”

With the average transaction sitting at approximately $12 per person, restaurants provide an accessible source of nourishment for millions of Canadians. For many Canadians—including busy families, seniors, students, shift workers, travellers, people living in temporary accommodations, and those without access to cooking facilities—restaurants are often the most practical, affordable, and reliable way to obtain meals.

Every day, Canadians make approximately 23.7 million visits to restaurants. The restaurant industry purchases approximately $43 billion in food and beverages annually, including roughly $30 billion from Canadian suppliers, making it the largest purchaser of Canadian agricultural products. It directly employs 1.2 million Canadians and serves as an important link between producers and consumers across the country.

“Restaurants operate at the intersection of food production, processing, distribution, labour, affordability, and consumer demand,” said Higginson. “That gives our industry a practical understanding of how food moves through the economy and reaches Canadians. As the strategy is implemented, Restaurants Canada looks forward to contributing that perspective to help advance the government’s objectives and strengthen food security for Canadians.”

Restaurants Canada’s submission to the National Food Security Strategy can be found here.