BANFF, ALBERTA – November 25, 2025 – Born in Kelowna and now serving communities from coast to coast, Chopped Leaf hosted its 2025 National Franchisee Convention in Banff, Alberta in November, bringing together franchise owners, corporate leaders, and partners from across Canada.

The convention, themed Believe in the Leaf, served as a platform for collaboration, learning, and recognition. It also marked the launch of the brand’s new Loyalty Rewards Program — designed to thank loyal guests and strengthen the brand’s digital connection with customers across Canada.

“Believe in the Leaf reflects our confidence in where this proud Canadian brand is headed,” said Nick Veloce, President and COO, Innovative Food Brands. “The convention highlighted the strength of our franchise system and the impact that shared purpose can have. When our network pulls in the same direction, it creates real momentum and opens the door to growth and new opportunities.”

New Feel Good Rewards Program Introduced

Chopped Leaf also debuted its Feel Good Rewards Program at the Convention, introducing a fresh way to reward guest loyalty and connect through its digital platforms.

The Feel Good Rewards Program, which was launched today, includes the following features:

• Guests earn points for every dollar spent
• Points can be redeemed for free menu items or cash savings
• Any purchase over $9.99 counts toward visit-based rewards, with a free reward unlocked on the third visit and a grand reward on the twelfth
• Every new registrant receives a free wrap welcome offer
• Guests can order for pickup or delivery through the app and purchase and send e-gift cards
• Exclusive offers, fresh deals, and in-app discounts are available through the app

“Our guests have supported this brand for years, and the Feel Good Rewards Program is our way of giving back,” said Karen Paradine, Head of Marketing, Chopped Leaf. “We want people to feel appreciated every time they visit. This program rewards loyalty in a way that’s simple, meaningful, and true to who we are.”

Franchisees Inspired and Focused

The multi-day event included workshops, keynote presentations, awards, and networking opportunities designed to inspire innovation and strengthen collaboration across the franchise network.

“Being part of this brand has been both rewarding and inspiring,” said franchisee Chetan Jajadiya, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. “Events like this remind us that we’re not just running restaurants — we’re part of a national movement to make healthy eating accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

Jimmy John’s continues its growth in Winnipeg with the opening of its newest restaurant at 360 Broadway.

Located in the downtown core, the restaurant is the third Jimmy John’s to open in Winnipeg this year. It is owned and operated by Kristen Hordo-Gentes and Darin Gentes, who are expanding Jimmy John’s presence in the city following recent openings on Pembina Highway and Ellice Avenue.

Franchisees Kristen Hordo-Gentes (left) and Darin Gentes (right) stand outside the new Jimmy John’s at 360 Broadway 

Ottawa, Ontario - Canada's Great Kitchen Party is proud to announce the details and the participating Chefs for the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championship, which takes place in Ottawa on January 30 and January 31st.

“We are delighted to bring the Canadian Culinary Championship back to the nation's capital in 2026,” said Karen Blair, COO of Canada's Great Kitchen Party. “Ottawa has an impressive track record on the national culinary stage, having produced four past champions: Marc Lépine (twice), Yannick LaSalle, and Briana Kim, which underscores the depth of talent within the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This year's championship will once again highlight the capital's vibrant culinary scene as it welcomes top chefs from across the country.

Regional competitions were held nationwide in cities stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, with each gold medal-winning chef qualifying for the Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC) in Ottawa, January 30 and 31st, 2026, where they will compete in three events: the Mystery Wine Competition, the Black Box Competition, and the Grand Finale Competition. The chef with the highest total score determined by the national judging panel will be crowned champion.

10 Regional chefs competing at CCC

The CCC's two-day competition kicks off on Friday, January 30, 2026, with the Mystery Wine Pairing. Competing chefs will be challenged to craft a dish—using local ingredients and working within a tight timeframe and modest budget—that best complements a yet-to-be-revealed vintage.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample the chefs' creations throughout the evening. The event will be presented as a stand-up cocktail reception and will feature a curated selection of wines, local craft beer, signature cocktails, and artisanal food products.

The second competition, the Black Box Challenge, will take place on the morning of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at La Cité's Culinary School. Competing chefs will receive a black box containing a selection of seven diverse Canadian ingredients and be required to create and plate two exceptional dishes for evaluation by the judges.  This event offers guests an unparalleled opportunity to witness a live, high-intensity culinary competition reminiscent of Iron Chef.

A mini-market showcasing local products will also be featured, with participation from La Cité culinary students, providing guests with an additional opportunity to explore and enjoy regional offerings.

The Grand Finale takes place on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Rogers Centre Ottawa and is anticipated to be one of the city's most sought-after events. Tickets are already more than 60 per cent sold.

A total of 550 guests will attend to sample the chefs' finest creations and mingle with special celebrity guests. Reigning Canadian Culinary Champion Alex Kim, Five Sails Restaurant, Vancouver, BC, will also be featured, presenting a dish for the VIP guests.

The evening will feature a Spirit of the West celebration, with performances by the band's frontman, Geoffrey Kelly, along with the legendary Barney Bentall and former guitarist of Spirit of the West, Matthew Harder. The highlight of the evening will be the crowning of the 2026 Canadian Culinary Champion!

A portion of proceeds from The Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa will support national charities MusiCounts and Spirit North, alongside Ottawa charities working to address food insecurity among local children and youth.   To date, Canada's Great Kitchen Party has surpassed $19 million raised to help ensure youth across Canada have equitable access to sport, music education, and food security.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 24, 2025) – Flavorman, a leading custom beverage development company, has released its 2026 Beverage Trends Forecast, continuing the company’s eight-year streak of accurately predicting the flavors and innovations that will shape the industry for the upcoming year. 

Drawing from extensive client project data, insights from industry partners, year-over-year consumer behavior patterns, and historical trend analysis, Flavorman’s Beverage Architects identified several key shifts expected to influence product development in the year ahead. 

For the coming year, Flavorman projects that consumers will lean even more heavily into classic, enduring flavors such as mango, strawberry, lemon-lime, and vanilla. This aligns with a trend that the Beverage Architects predicted last year, where consumers have gravitated toward what is most familiar when choosing what to drink. Flavorman also notes growing interest in emerging fruits and decadent flavors, such as guava, sumac berry, churro, and huckleberry cobbler, signaling that innovation will continue to thrive alongside the classics. 

“Our Flavor Laboratory has noticed that brands are beginning to capture unique variations of classic flavor profiles. For example, we’ve received an increasing number of requests for yuzu, which evokes a fusion of different citrus notes,” says Flavorman’s Chief Flavorist, Tom Gibson, “Consumers are still craving the familiar favorites; beverage brands are simply finding creative ways to deliver that.” 

Reflecting on its 2025 predictions, Flavorman once again demonstrated its accuracy, particularly in predicting the surge of “sober curious” consumers and the rapid rise of Non-Alcoholic Spirits and mocktail categories. With demand continuing to accelerate, the Beverage Architects anticipate even greater innovation in 2026, including elevated mocktails with added adaptogens and more flavor profiles replicating the taste of traditional spirits.

Flavorman’s 2026 outlook also indicates that renewed consumer focus on functional ingredients centered around wellness. Flavorman’s Beverage Architects expect to see growth in clean-label, naturally energizing options, especially caffeinated alternatives to conventional energy drinks and coffee. Ingredients such as cascara, yerba mate, and other functional tea blends are positioned to break through as brands look to meet the rising demand for beverages that support both energy and well-being. 

As consumers increasingly prioritize wellness and vitality, Flavorman notes that shifting regulatory dynamics are shaping the beverage industry. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration recently announced plans to phase out certified color additives – a move already reflected in industry behavior. Flavorman’s Beverage Architects have already observed this shift among clients, noting a decrease in new projects utilizing FD&C colors. 

Regulatory uncertainty is also rippling through the fast-growing hemp-derived THC category, despite a growing market for such products. This comes in tandem with the recent changes to the 2018 Farm Bill that will ban hemp-derived THC products in the U.S. by late 2026. Flavorman anticipates that this shift will influence development strategies as brands navigate compliance, consumer demand, and the evolving legal landscape. 

“The regulatory landscape for hemp-derived THC has always been uncertain, and we anticipated changes like these would eventually come,” says Flavorman’s Director of Quality Systems, Matthew Fuller. “Hemp companies now have a unique opportunity to rally support from their consumer base that helped grow a $28 billion industry. So, a lot can change in a year.” 

On the branding side, Flavorman previously predicted a wave of customization – from flavor cartridges to variety packs – as consumers sought greater control and personalization in their beverage experiences. For 2026, the company expects this momentum to evolve into “premium products through convenience” as brands increasingly lean into bulk unit sales, expanding their presence in e-commerce channels, and prioritizing distribution strategies that ensure products are available wherever consumers choose to shop.

Flavorman, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., partners with brands of all sizes to bring innovative beverage ideas to market. From formulation and ingredient selection to production planning and quality control, Flavorman has been instrumental in developing more than 85,000 unique beverage formulations across every major category.

For more information about Flavorman and its services, visit .